Steve Winfree, a 2007 graduate of the Sport Management program, has been fighting for his life the last fourteen years. He recently received news that his life was about to change, just by looking through a new deck of Topps baseball cards from his wife.
During a routine sports physical in 2003, Steve received word that his blood pressure was alarmingly high, which led to the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. By the age of 21, Steve began having gout attacks that now occur once or twice per month. He has had multiple surgeries on his feet and is at the point now where amputations are being considered. As if that’s not enough to deal with, Steve also has Type I Diabetes which exacerbate his chronic issue. He recently began dialysis as a last resort until a match could be found to donate a kidney.
After being tested to see if she could be a match, Steve’s wife Heather reveals the greatest news he could have hoped for, in a way that is special to both of them. Heather often bought packs of baseball cards when Steve was in the hospital as a way to take their minds off the stress of his medical issues. This pack of cards with the special insert will undoubtedly be their favorite of all time.
The KRSS Department wishes Steve and Heather the best of luck and are hoping for a successful transplant and recovery. Follow Steve’s story on Twitter @Steve_Winfree as he shares updates and continues to raise awareness about organ donation. You can also check out his blog for more information about his journey and how he is using it to encourage others facing similar issues.