Sergio Verzeletti -- Italy

Transplant: Kidney, 1991

Hometown: Cazzago S.M., Brescia, Italy

Events:

Sergio's Story: I want to tell you my story in a few words to make you understand the importance of the gift and the transplant of organs. One evening, in the summer of 1988, I met Lucia, a girl of Chiari. I was 18, she was 17. After a year of knowing each other, I was taken urgently to the Civil Hospital of Brescia and the diagnosis was chronic renal failure; it all seemed to me unreal. I was terrified. I wondered what was happening to me and why just to me. In a few hours I was undergoing dialysis. In time, with the help of the doctors, the affection of my family, and the love of my fiancé, I began to accept and live with my new way of life. After two years, in the middle of the night, I was called for a transplant. Together with joy and a lot of fear, in a few days I was able to return to a normal life thanks to a new kidney belonging to a boy. In 1992, Lucia and I decided to get married. We are happy and we have a beautiful boy of 14 months whose name is Andrea. He is a healthy and lively child and I am fortunate to have with me a girl who has been able to stay near me, and especially, to love and help me.

My Message to the World:  I want to tell everyone not to ever lose courage and to trust that sooner or later the transplant will come. In addition, I want to encourage those who are in favour of giving their organs because the misfortune of a person can save many others. Good luck to everyone and good-bye.

 

Last modified: 11 May 2000