2019 Eric Burge

Name:                                     Eric Burge

Type of Donation:            Kidney and cornea recipient

Age and Location:             Age 52– Davenport, IA

Transplant Date:                 1/3/2013

Sponsor:                               Honored by Iowa Donor Network

ERIC’S STORY

When Eric was in his late 20’s, he was diagnosed with Keratoconus in both eyes. He received a cornea transplant to help restore his sight. That was nearly 27 years ago. Eric has never had the opportunity to have contact with his donor’s family, but he is extremely grateful for the gift of sight he has received.

In Eric’s early 30’s, he was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease. He was the third member of his immediate family to be diagnosed with PKD.

On February 14, 2012, Eric’s kidney function had declined to the point that dialysis was required and he started treatment two days later. Then came the process of being evaluated and tested at the University of Iowa Transplant Center to see if he could be placed on the transplant waiting list. While going through the screening and testing process, several friends came forward to be tested to determine if they were a match. While Eric was flattered by the offers, he struggled with the thought of asking so much of someone. Fortunately for him, there was one person that was extremely persistent and passionate about wanting to see if she could help and get tested.  She had her own very personal reasons for wanting to pursue getting tested, and while she is the sister of Eric’s ex-wife, she never let the family dynamics or anything else deter her passion of seeing if she could donate. When all the testing was completed, she was a perfect match and on January 3, 2013, Mary Beth donated a kidney to Eric. It was the most humbling experience of Eric’s life to have anyone give so much so selflessly for the benefit of his health.

Since the transplant, knowing that saying “thank you” is just not enough for the gifts that Mary Beth and his cornea donor gave him, Eric’s has pursued volunteering with Iowa Donor Network.  He now shares his story with others to help promote the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation, as a way of honoring and thanking Mary Beth and his cornea donor.