Key points from today’s guests:

Frank

• Frank, a 71-year-old farmer, received a kidney donation from his son.
• After seeing a story on the news about a little girl also going through kidney issues who was scammed out of thousands of dollars her family paid for Taylor Swift tickets, he was inspired to be the person to step up and help, so he bought her tickets to see Taylor Swift in concert.
• Before the kidney donation, he had to undergo dialysis every day. Dialysis changed him because it took a lot out of him and he saw how others undergoing dialysis were really struggling.
• With the transplant, he doesn’t need dialysis, so it makes all the difference.
• He wants to honor his son’s gift by living a great life. He met so many people on dialysis who didn’t have someone willing to donate a kidney to them.
• Frank said there’s so much hate in this world, why can’t we help each other?

Elsa Wiemerslage, leukemia survivor, living with kidney failure

• At age 5, Elsa had a devastating diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia.
• She went through three bone marrow transplants. She's had multiple relapses in between those transplants and then she got renal failure, causing her to start dialysis.
• Now 14, she is trying to live a normal life as she’ll have been in cancer remission for two years in October.
• One of her nurses invited Elsa to be in her wedding party.
• She was so surprised and grateful to Frank for giving her the opportunity to see Taylor Swift.

Kevin Wiemerslage, Elsa’s dad

• Elsa has been stuck in the hospital for over half her life since she was diagnosed at five, so just to see her get out to go see a Taylor Swift concert was great.
• They are so thankful for Frank for what he has done.
• Kevin is preparing to donate his own kidney to Elsa.
  
  

Grant Mackey, Frank’s son and kidney donor

• Grant donated a kidney to save his father’s life and said he’d do it a million times over.
• While the first couple weeks of recovery is pretty tough, he said it is well worth it for his dad.
• He said if you have the opportunity to help somebody, do it.

Dr. Sean Kumer, transplant surgeon, associate chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System

• In dealing with kidney transplants with cancer patients, it can be more complicated.
• Elsa is undergoing peritoneal dialysis peritoneal dialysis which can be done at home and takes out some of the “toxins” from kidney failure.
• As the surgeon in Grant’s kidney transplant, his selfless act was a lifesaver.
• The joy you have in donating to somebody is pretty incredible. But we don't have enough organs. We have 103,000 people out there waiting for kidneys.
• Donors are true heroes. Go to DonateLife.org or go to your DMV to sign up to be a donor.
• And if you have questions about being a living donor, it doesn't cost anything. It's a phone call, learn some more, maybe meet with the team. You don't have to say yes, but just get educated because it's really important.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System

• The hospital COVID count for this week is at three patients, which is a decrease from eight patients last week.
• CMS will stop COVID reporting requirements as of May 1.
• While there are reports of remnants of the bird flu virus in milk, most of the milk that you can buy in the stores is pasteurized. We do believe that it does kill the virus.
• Right now, it doesn't really seem to pose any threat to humans.

Monday, Apr. 29 at 8 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Lifesaving care is important, regardless of a rivalry. Learn why the president of Kansas State turned to The University of Kansas Health System for his cancer care.

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