2008 Woodie Awards
Student waiting for organ transplant
Holly Skinner on transplant list for 248 days
by Mallory Dumas
Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: News
The doctors called Jan. 13 to tell Holly Skinner they had a match for her kidney-pancreas transplant. Skinner, a nontraditional education student, has been on the organ transplant list for 248 days.
She went to the hospital with her family and was ready for surgery.
"I had tubes in my nose and everything," says Skinner, "when they told me the transplant wasn't going to happen."
There was trauma to the pancreas, making it an unsuitable organ for Skinner.
"I'm okay about it," she says.
Skinner has had diabetes for 20 years. Her diabetes is always taken care of, but her body is high in antibodies, which led to the need for a transplant.
Now Skinner is number one on the kidney-pancreas transplant list for B+ blood type. The list she is on covers the southeast. They will not separate the organs, so she is waiting for a kidney and pancreas that are suitable.
"I have always been an organ donor because it's a cheaper driver's license," says Skinner, "but now I realize that by my death someone else can live."
Skinner works as a teaching aid in Habersham County. She came to Piedmont to get a teaching degree. Because of her diabetes, Skinner is on dialysis and must be hooked up to a machine every night for nine hours.
"I asked for help from the education department," says Skinner, "and everyone has been great."
"I am impressed with her attitude, bravery and willingness to do whatever it takes to get this teaching degree," says Dr. Gene Pease, associate professor of eduction.
Skinner must be home by 8:30 every night to start the dialysis process. Her night class teachers let her leave early.
"I had to stand up and explain to my classmates why I was allowed to leave early," says Skinner. "I believe it's important for people to be aware of organ transplants."
Skinner hopes to graduate in Dec. 2009. She is taking a full load now and will again in the summer.
"I was nervous about coming to Piedmont because I'm a nontraditional student," says Skinner, "but everyone has been very helpful and I love it here."
She went to the hospital with her family and was ready for surgery.
"I had tubes in my nose and everything," says Skinner, "when they told me the transplant wasn't going to happen."
There was trauma to the pancreas, making it an unsuitable organ for Skinner.
"I'm okay about it," she says.
Skinner has had diabetes for 20 years. Her diabetes is always taken care of, but her body is high in antibodies, which led to the need for a transplant.
Now Skinner is number one on the kidney-pancreas transplant list for B+ blood type. The list she is on covers the southeast. They will not separate the organs, so she is waiting for a kidney and pancreas that are suitable.
"I have always been an organ donor because it's a cheaper driver's license," says Skinner, "but now I realize that by my death someone else can live."
Skinner works as a teaching aid in Habersham County. She came to Piedmont to get a teaching degree. Because of her diabetes, Skinner is on dialysis and must be hooked up to a machine every night for nine hours.
"I asked for help from the education department," says Skinner, "and everyone has been great."
"I am impressed with her attitude, bravery and willingness to do whatever it takes to get this teaching degree," says Dr. Gene Pease, associate professor of eduction.
Skinner must be home by 8:30 every night to start the dialysis process. Her night class teachers let her leave early.
"I had to stand up and explain to my classmates why I was allowed to leave early," says Skinner. "I believe it's important for people to be aware of organ transplants."
Skinner hopes to graduate in Dec. 2009. She is taking a full load now and will again in the summer.
"I was nervous about coming to Piedmont because I'm a nontraditional student," says Skinner, "but everyone has been very helpful and I love it here."
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