Long wait for transplant ends before dream of transplant is realized

By Bill Graham

The Kansas City Star

Michael Chance Foley waited two years for the kidney and pancreas transplants that he needed because of his diabetes.

Finally, a kidney from a brother was tentatively scheduled to be transplanted in late January. But fate made Foley, 37, of Kansas City, North, an organ donor rather than a recipient.

A blood vessel burst near his brain stem last Saturday night, due to high blood pressure and damage from the diabetes and dialysis treatments, said his wife, Bambi Foley. He died Monday.

"It's extra heartbreaking that he was so close to a transplant," Bambi Foley said. "Then this is our daughter's first Christmas and he won't be here for it, and she won't get to know her father."

The couple's daughter, Delaney, will turn 1 on Dec. 26. They also have a son, Gavin, 8.

The family hopes more people will decide to become organ donors, Foley said, such as by filling out the back of a driver's license indicating a willingness to donate.

Her husband's liver, lungs and heart valves were donated for transplants, she said. Some of his skin and bones also were taken for transplants.

"At least he was able to help a lot of families," Foley said.

Most people don't realize the need for organ donation until someone in their own family is affected, she said.

"We didn't know much about this process until we started going through it and Chance got on a waiting list," Foley said. "It's ironic, he was waiting for organs, and he wound up donating his own."

The graduate of Lathrop High School was a computer technician for Seaboard Corp.

He had diabetes from age 14, and that made it difficult for him to get life insurance coverage, Foley said. He had one small policy through work.

A fund has been established to help the family with expenses, including the children's future college expenses.

To help send contributions to: Foley Family Fund C/O Bambi Foley Commerce Bank 9239 N.E. Missouri 152 Kansas City, MO 64158

To reach Bill Graham, call 816-234-5906 or send e-mail to bgraham@kcstar.com.

Copyright © 2007 The Kansas City Star.

This article posted February 7, 2008.