Anna Maria Mignone -- Italy

Age: 46

Transplant: Kidney, 1980

Hometown: Milan

Events: Swimming -- 50 m breaststroke; Tennis -- women's singles

Anna's Story: Sixteen years ago, on January 28, 1980, Anna Maria Mignone received a kidney from her father at the Policlinico of Milan. She is a teacher, married with one daughter, age 20. She writes, "I've always practiced sports: tennis, swimming, skiing. In 1977, after I delivered my daughter, I had a renal block caused by a traumatic fact, and for two years,  I had to undergo dialysis. After the transplant, I returned to a normal life, thanks in part to the sports that I've continued to practice in my spare time. This year, I took part in tennis and swimming competitions at the Italian Transplant Games, which are organized by the National Association of Hemodialized and Transplanted (ANED) in Milan. It's really important to take care of our own health through athletics.

My Message to the World: Not being an ill person, I never imagined that one day [I would have to undergo dialysis and transplantation]. Suddenly, after being a healthy woman, I found myself in a situation of deep tragedy, which was unknown to me. I had great difficulty [dealing with] what was happening to me, especially during the period of dialysis. Then, with the transplantation of my father's kidney, I regained the true taste of life and now I'm enjoying it with a deeper joy. I would really like all these people who are waiting for a transplant to have this [opportunity] to appreciate life in the most complete way and to testify to this wonderful experience.

 

Last modified: 11 May 2000