2017 Dorothea Duffy

DOROTHEA DUFFY

Kidney Recipient

Age 64 ~ Lincoln Park

Honored by NJ Sharing Network at njsharingnetwork.org

Dorothea Duffy was the Creative Design Manager for Transplant Marketing in the pharmaceutical company where she worked. That company provided the onsite portrait photos at the Transplant Games of America. Soon after leaving her position in 2010, she was diagnosed with an uncommon autoimmune disease which affected her kidneys. She was on dialysis, and the waiting list for a kidney transplant for almost 4 years. In January 2014, Dorothea at 60 was blessed with the long awaited kidney transplant. In April 2016, she had a special opportunity to meet the family of her donor with wonderful family and friends. Dorothea also traveled with Team Liberty to Cleveland to compete in the 2016 Transplant Games. She was thrilled to bring home three medals: a gold in bocce and a silver and bronze in darts!

Dorothea’s Story

Dorothea Duffy’s connection to organ and tissue donation began long before her medical challenges. She was the Creative Design Manager for Transplant Marketing in the pharmaceutical company where she worked. That company provided the onsite portrait photos at the Transplant Games of America. Dorothea worked on this project, but never had the opportunity to attend the Games.

Soon after leaving her position at this company in 2010, she was diagnosed with an uncommon autoimmune disease which affected her kidneys. She was on dialysis and the waiting list for a kidney transplant for almost 4 years. During that time, Dorothea began her relationship with NJ Sharing Network (NJSN) through their first 5K Celebration of Life in 2011. With Team Dorothea, she has walked in every 5K since then with the support of her wonderful family and friends.

In January 2014, Dorothea, at 60, was blessed with the long awaited kidney transplant. Once her physician gave the go ahead to travel, she joined Team Liberty and finally attended the Transplant Games in July 2014!

“I am eternally grateful to my donor family for making the decision to give the gift of life through their loved one,” said Dorothea. “In their honor, and as a NJSN Volunteer Ambassador, I share my experience and continue to spread the word about the importance of registering to be a donor.”

In April 2016, she had a special opportunity to meet the family of her donor, Ben.

“I know I am very fortunate because not every transplant recipient gets the chance to meet their donor’s family,” she said. “It meant so much to be able to express my gratitude in person.”

In June, Ben’s family joined Team Dorothea for the 5K Celebration of Life in New Providence, NJ. Dorothea also traveled with Team Liberty to Cleveland to compete in the 2016 Transplant Games. She was thrilled to bring home three medals: a gold in bocce and a silver and bronze in darts!

“Who knew these turn of events would bring me so many wonderful new friends and great opportunities to promote awareness about organ and tissue donation!”