Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Auburn Fan to Donate Kidney to Alabama Fan on Nov. 21
Shirley pulls for Auburn. Sam roots for Alabama. Despite being on opposite sides of one of college football’s most heated rivalries, Shirley Pitts of Pace will donate a kidney to Sam Fitts of Elberta, Ala. on Nov. 21 – four days after the 2006 Iron Bowl.
“Shirley thinks that her kidney is going to convert me!” says Sam, 64, minister of education at Immanuel Baptist Church in Pace, Fla., where Shirley is a member.
Shirley, 47, will undergo surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Medical Center to have her donor kidney removed via laparoscopy. A Pace resident who grew up in a family of serious Auburn fans, Shirley is employed in the central processing department at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. She has worked for Sacred Heart for 27 years.
She was touched by Sam’s testimony in church regarding a heart transplant he underwent 18 years ago after four heart attacks resulting from a family history of hyperlipidemia (elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides). Sam is a Samford University graduate who is known for his calm demeanor, “except when Alabama plays,” said Shirley.
What compelled Shirley to make a decision that involves some risk to her own life?
“Sam reminds me of my mom, who had several health problems before she died,” said Shirley. “God has been good to me. I’m thankful every day that I have this opportunity, especially to help someone who is serving God like Sam does.” Sam also serves as director of Vacation Bible School and Discipleship for Santa Rosa Baptist Association.
It was a chance meeting in Sacred Heart’s cafeteria that led to Shirley’s decision to help Sam, whose family members are not good donor candidates. “I ran into his wife Iris who works at Sacred Heart. She mentioned Sam needed a kidney and I jokingly said I would give him one!”
Shirley then underwent two days of medical tests and interviews at the Alabama Transplant Center at UAB. Of the 300+ kidney transplants performed at the Center, about one-third of donated organs come from living donors like Shirley. “I researched this beforehand, too,” she said. It took two months for the transplant team to compile all the test results and thoroughly review the case to determine that “Pitts fits Fitts,” as Shirley noted.
Living with one kidney will be no different from living with two, according to Dr. Humam Humeda, director of Sacred Heart’s dialysis unit. “People live normal lives with just one-quarter of a kidney,” said Dr. Humeda. “I highly encourage people to donate kidneys. Right now, there’s a five-year waiting list. Some people die just waiting for a kidney. If Shirley ever needs a kidney in the future, she will be put at the top of the waiting list, after children who are waiting for a donor.”
Sam’s wife is deeply grateful for Shirley’s generosity. “If Sam had to wait for a kidney, he would have had to have dialysis. Being a heart transplant patient, he would be at risk of infection from dialysis.”
Sam and Iris have known Shirley for two years. Shirley and Sam have worked together on a number of church-related activities. “She’s a joy to be around,” said Sam. “She’s the greatest thing since sliced bread! We just love her.”
A power walker and softball player who leads a healthy lifestyle, Shirley has never undergone surgery. “People ask me if I’m scared because I’ve never had surgery before. I’m not really scared; I’m excited to be able to do this!”
Sam calls Shirley a hero, but Shirley says, “If anybody’s a hero, it’s Sam.”
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