American swimmer Missy Franklin, a two-time Olympian and six-time medalist, recently shared her family’s journey with kidney health after her father’s transplant. In a recent interview, Franklin revealed that her father was diagnosed with ADPKD, a hereditary kidney disease that caused cysts to form on his kidneys. This condition led to a decline in kidney function, eventually requiring dialysis or a transplant.
Franklin emphasized the importance of family health history conversations, especially when genetic diseases run in the family. Despite knowing about her father’s condition for some time, the family received distressing news in 2022 that the disease was rapidly progressing. This prompted them to reach out to their community in search of a living organ donor.
Fortunately, in May of that year, Franklin’s family received a life-changing phone call informing them that her father had found a donor match. The transplant took place in August 2022, thanks to the generosity of two-time Olympic gold medalist Crissy Perham, who turned out to be a perfect match. Franklin expressed her gratitude for the gift of life that her father received and acknowledged the important role their community played in supporting them through this challenging time.
Following this experience, Franklin is now partnering with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc. to raise awareness about kidney health, early detection, and genetic testing. She believes that having difficult conversations about genetic diseases and working closely with healthcare professionals are crucial steps in ensuring the best possible outcomes for individuals and their families.
By sharing her family’s story and promoting the importance of proactive healthcare, Franklin hopes to inspire others to prioritize their well-being and take proactive steps towards maintaining kidney health. Through her advocacy efforts, she aims to encourage more people to have open discussions about their health, genetic predispositions, and the significance of early detection in preventing serious health issues.