2016 Dan Stafford

DAN STAFFORD

Kidney Recipient

Age 38 ~ Laguna Beach, CA

Owner of Surf Newport Now

Honored by sjo.org

One of Dan’s many passions is being in the ocean and surfing.  In November of 2003, it looked like he would never be able to surf again when he was admitted to the hospital for kidney failure.  He was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy which left both of his kidneys in bad condition.  A close friend and 2016 float rider, Tiana Watson, stepped up to donate him her kidney and on August 3, 2004 the procedure was completed.  Almost immediately, the new kidney began doing the work that Dan’s body had been missing for so long.  Today, Tina and Dan have begun families and Dan has continued his passion for surfing.

Dan’s Story

Being in the ocean and surfing has always been my passion! On November 1, 2003 at the age of 26, I found myself in ICU at the South Coast Medical Center(where I was born) in Laguna Beach with a blood pressure of 240/180 and double kidney failure. Diagnosed with IgA nephropathy at age 15, I was now faced with the challenges of enduring a kidney transplant and surfing was no longer an option.

My family and I found Dr. Ruzics at the St. Joseph’s Hospital Orange/ Kidney Transplant Center and were so fortunate to be treated with 5 star attention and care since day 1. Dr. Ruzics was very thorough and serious about his work and ability to help me which gave me the confidence I needed in choosing a surgeon and to find the strength to move forward.

Meanwhile, an amazing, young, healthy, and courageous human/friend, Tiana Watson had stepped forward to become a living kidney transplant donor which was the biggest relief and blessing throughout this whole experience. As I went to dialysis treatments 3 times a week for 4 hours at a time, we both went through the endless testing and protocols to make strides towards the ultimate goal. After 9 months, were all cleared and ready for the big day!

On August 3, 2004, Tiana and I met at St. Joseph’s Hospital with our families, nervously ready to go into a surgery that would change the rest of our lives! All I remember was waking up very groggy and hearing Dr. Ruzics saying “The surgery went well Dan!” He had transplanted Tiana’s living kidney into me and it had already started to do the work that my body had been missing for so long. I was urinating regularly(something I hadn’t done in over 9 months) and it was looking like I was not going to need dialysis again. It was a true miracle and a blessing!

I believe the combination of youth and strength, Tiana’s courage and healthy kidney, and the incredible focus, attention, and ability of Dr. Ruzics and his team was the ultimate formula to the success of the transplant. Since the transplant just over 11 years ago, Tiana and I have gone on to start our own families with children and I’m happy to say we are both in great health, and have had no set backs!…And now surfing is an option!