Michael DiPiano

Type of Donation:             Kidney and pancreas recipient

Age and Location:             Age 68 – Daytona Beach, FL

Transplant Date:               August 25, 1998

Sponsor:                               Honored by Team Liberty

MICHAEL’S STORY

Mike DiPiano is a formidable man of 68. To see him you would not think he is a recipient of a kidney-pancreas transplant, but he has been celebrating his Gift of Life for 21 years. Mike was a high school football player and wrestler. During his senior year, at the age of 17, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Mike stayed healthy over the next 30 years until July 1996. Mike was working the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta when he fell ill and had to be hospitalized. His sugar levels were high and had started to affect his pancreas and kidneys. The doctors in Atlanta were able to stabilize him and upon his return home, the doctors in New Jersey found that his pancreas was not producing insulin and that his kidneys were failing. Mike was put on dialysis in September of 1996 and once strong enough, he was listed for a kidney-pancreas transplant. Mike returned to work as the Athletic Director and Head Wrestling coach at St. Benedict’s Prep School in Newark, NJ. He remained on dialysis and was eventually transplanted on October 25, 1998.

When Mike reflects on receiving The Gift of Life he says, “I am here today because of my donor Sean. He is not only my hero, he is my family’s hero as well. Anything I do or have done since my transplant is because of Sean and his family.” If not for Sean’s gift Mike would not be here today. He would not have been able to experience so many things that have happened in his life since the transplant. He’s witnessed his children’s high school and college graduations. He’s been to many family functions and weddings. Mike has been awarded The Medal of St. Benedict’s, the school’s most prestigious honor and has been inducted into the NJ Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Mike has also been blessed to receive many other civic and athletic awards. He’s been fortunate to become a member of Team Liberty and has been able to compete at every Transplant Game since 2004 and even participated on Team USA at the World Transplant Games in Bangkok, Thailand and Brisbane, Australia. Mike attributes all of these experiences to The Gift of Life. The most important experience Mike has had since his transplant is witnessing the birth of his granddaughter, Mia Rose, on June 6, 2005. He has been able to spend countless hours with Mia and watch her grow into a lovely young lady. Before retiring to Daytona Beach, FL, Mike and his beloved wife Karen raised their three children, Michael, Michelle and Frank in Nutley, NJ.

Mike continues to pray for Sean and his family every day and thanks them for the most important gift of all, The Gift of Life.