In 2002, when high school health teacher Albert Paduano needed a kidney transplant, the support from his family was overwhelming – four relatives offered to donate. The best match was his nephew Scott, also a teacher. Now when Albert teaches his students about organ donation, they are able to discuss it with a real life recipient, making it a much more memorable and valuable life lesson.

Al's Story

Even though it is highly cliché, I take the saying “live life to the fullest” very seriously. Never did I think for one minute I would be facing my own mortality.

As a high school health teacher, I was in good shape. I was running frequently when I was diagnosed with kidney problems about 20 years ago during a physical. I was immediately put on medicine to lower my blood pressure and cut down on the fluid I was retaining. The medicine helped for years and life went on as normal. I stayed active and involved in many activities in and out of school.

In the latter part of 2002 things started to happen. I was gaining weight for no apparent reason and my blood pressure was getting worse. My kidneys were starting to fail, and I was not ready to accept what was happening. I started to gain weight from fluid retention and was consistently drowsy. When I fell asleep at the wheel and drove into a ditch, I knew something had to be done. My kidney specialist, Dr. Shirdar, stepped up the treatment and helped me reduce my weight. In October 2002, Dr. Shirdar ordered several tests at Buffalo General Hospital. My doctor explained that I would need a kidney transplant in order to survive. It was Christmas 2002 when the entire family was together that I decided to share my fate.

Their fear was quickly overshadowed with overwhelming support of my situation. I was put on dialysis and the waiting began. I didn’t have to wait long. I had four people willing to donate a kidney: my sister, brother, niece and nephew. After testing only my nephew Scott Stickney was a good match. At first I was wary of taking a kidney from my nephew. I didn’t want him to donate because I didn’t want him in any danger. Despite my reservations, we went forward, and the surgery went off without a hitch.

How do you repay the gift of life? There is absolutely no way. and I’m eternally grateful to all of my family for their willingness to risk their own lives in order to save mine. My feelings are simply beyond gratitude and love.

As teachers, my nephew and I had to miss some school, but we are both back in the classroom. My nephew Scott is at Hampton Middle and High Schools in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, and I’m at West Seneca East Senior High School in West Seneca, New York. It’s almost two years later and we both are doing remarkably well. Scott’s gift of one of his kidneys has made me a healthy man again.

Irony lies in the fact that before getting sick, I was able to stand in front of my health class and talk to the students about organ donation. I could teach facts, dispel myths, and talk about the importance of signing a registration form after discussions with your family. We even had representatives from Upstate New York Transplant Services come in for presentations. Now it’s an entirely different lesson. The kids know what I’ve been through; they’ve seen my life change before their eyes, and it’s taken on a new meaning for them as well. Now, when we have UNYTS visit our class, I team up with the presenters and speak from a recipient’s point of view. I’m able to bring the kids to my level, and into my head. When they see a living example, a life saved, I think it truly brings new meaning to what organ donation is to them.

So, how do I put into words the gratitude I have for the gift Scott has given me? He gave me the gift of life, and that was the ultimate gift. I will use that gift by truly living my life “to the fullest” and making a difference.