[DonnieD]

Springs, 50, has suffered from diabetes for 16 years and has been on the national transplant waiting list since 2004. The disease has led to the amputation of his right foot and the big and middle toes on his left foot, and caused his hands to curl into knots. He also was forced into a wheelchair and needed dialysis three times a week.


Ex-Cowboys Springs, Walls hope transplant inspires more donations | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

March 2, 2007, 3:17PM
Ex-Cowboys Springs, Walls hope transplant inspires more donations

By JAIME ARON AP Sports Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press
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DALLAS — Wearing a royal blue surgical cap with the Dallas Cowboys logo on the front and his old jersey number on the side, Ron Springs sat in a wheelchair Friday surrounded by tubes and wires. As several nurses helped him up onto a stage where he was to discuss his new kidney, Springs smiled and said, "Let's go, we got to move!"

Just one problem. They still needed the donor, former Cowboys teammate Everson Walls.

Minutes later, Walls strode in wearing a pink button-down shirt and gray slacks. He was the picture of health — just two days after the transplant operation they hope will inspire many more.

Walls and Springs discussed everything they've been through during an emotional, uplifting news conference Friday. As the first U.S. pro sports teammates to share an organ, they're trying to maximize the attention on them to spotlight the need for more organ donors, especially among blacks.

"I can't thank him enough, but I'll tell you what I can do," Springs said. "We're going to help people get kidneys and donors of hearts and livers and all this stuff. We'd like people to get it quicker."

Springs has suffered from Type 2 diabetes for 16 years and was on the transplant waiting list since 2004. Thanks to Walls' donation, Springs goes off the list, which means someone, somewhere gets to move up a spot.

Nearly 70,000 people in the United States are on the kidney transplant waiting list, and about one-third of them are black, far more than any other ethnic group. Diabetes is a major cause of kidney decay and blacks are also at high risk for contracting the disease.

"So you can see this is a great need and a great thing Ron and Everson have done here," said Jeremy Bradshaw, head of transplant services at Medical City Hospital. "It is our hope that more people, especially minorities, get tested and treated for diabetes as soon as possible and seriously consider being an organ donor."

Lead surgeon Richard Dickerman said "the hero in all this process is Mr. Walls," prompting a big nod from Springs. Walls joked that he was "going to hold that over his head for the rest of his life," then told the story about his hero in all this, a friend who donated a kidney to her sister 22 years ago, back when there was more risk and uncertainty.

"They told her the kidney would not last but four years. Not only that, they told her as a donor she would not be able to have kids. That was something that always stayed in the back of my mind when I made this decision for Ron," Walls said. "It's no comparison to how safe it is now. It's a little bit uncomfortable at this point, but I'm looking forward to a full recovery."

Walls, 47, is likely to ache through the weekend as his body recovers from the operation and adjusts to running one kidney.

Springs, 50, already is feeling better. Not needing dialysis for the first time in years is a great start, plus a huge lift to his spirits. Doctors said his gnarled hands should straighten and other effects of his kidney problems should be gone within a year, providing his body accepts the new organ. To help that happen, he'll be on anti-rejection medicine for several years.

Springs played for the Cowboys from 1979-84, usually starting in the backfield alongside Tony Dorsett. Walls was his teammate for only four seasons, but their friendship has grown over the years, with their wives and children becoming close, too.

Springs' oldest child, Shawn, plays for the Washington Redskins. He's a cornerback, just like Walls was. Walls was a good one, too, the NFL's only three-time interception leader and a Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants in 1990. He can often be seen talking football on ESPN.

What makes this story so powerful, though, is how much Springs and Walls have in common with ordinary folks.

Diabetes has forced Springs to have his right foot amputated and several toes on his left foot, too. While waiting for a donor, he found two relatives who were matches, but other issues got in the way. Then Walls decided to get tested.

He knew he was going to go through with it as soon as doctors said he could. Those closest to him were concerned.

His wife dealt with her fear by dwelling on her love for Springs and his family. Walls' mom tried talking him out of it. She gave up a month ago, when he told her, "I can't just let him die." That only made her worry more.

Springs knew how Ouida Walls felt. So before he went into surgery, "something very powerful happened," Walls said.

"He made a statement that he wanted to thank her for having me. Because by her having me, it saved him," Walls said, then buried his head in his hands, his emotions overwhelming him.

"I'm so emotional because, first of all, my stitches are hurting like ****," he said, turning a roomful of sobs to giggles. "I've got gas in my stomach. I cannot eat."

About the only one trying not to laugh was Springs.

"That's why I can't say anything," he said. "I feel good!"