George Franklin Celebrates His Record-Breaking 50 Year Kidneyversary

George Franklin celebrates 50 years and counting with his kidney transplant.

The summer George Franklin turned 18 years old; he had plans of enlisting in the military. But once he got sick, his plans changed. After a bout with an ongoing cold, his mom took him to the hospital to get answers. There, he found out he had high blood pressure and was transferred to the George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC, where he was unexpectedly diagnosed with end-stage renal disease.

One night, during a hospital stay, George coughed up blood and his medication. Medical staff decided to transfer him to the intensive care unit (ICU). On the elevator during his transfer, George fell into a coma for two weeks. While he was in a coma, doctors told his mom there was nothing they could do, and he had a 5% survival rate.

Miraculously, George woke up from his coma and recovered quickly just in time for the holiday season. When he spoke with his mom, he told her he dreamed of a white Christmas tree with red bulbs. When he returned home, his mom made sure to decorate their house with a white tree, red bulbs and even put white drapes with red stripes on the windowsill. This was the most important Christmas of George’s life.

George’s Kidney Transplant Journey: Trusting Doctors and Keeping Hope

George had dialysis treatments three times a week, where doctors would regularly perform check-ups. He grew close to other patients during his time in the hospital, witnessing many young friends lose their lives to end-stage renal disease. George remembers this time in his life being extremely difficult and exhausting.

His first kidney transplant was in April 1975, but it was unsuccessful as the kidney never functioned in his body. He continued hemodialysis several days a week until his doctor called him again and told him another kidney was available. George was disappointed by his first unsuccessful transplant and had no intention of getting a second. However, his doctor kept reminding him of how the opportunity to receive a transplant is rare and lifesaving, which ultimately convinced George to consider a transplant again. George is grateful his doctor reminded him about the power of transplantation because that second transplant has kept him healthy for 50 years and counting.  

“If you aren’t already on the transplant waitlist, make sure you get on it and let doctors determine if you can or can’t receive a kidney or any other transplant.” -George

Advocating for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation: Becoming a Mentor to Others

Ever since receiving his lifesaving transplant, George has been an advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation. He dedicates his time to helping others by speaking directly to dialysis patients and transplant candidates, offering mentorship and hope as someone who understands their struggles firsthand. He actively supports patients and uses his own story to inspire others to join the national transplant waiting list.

He also enjoys speaking with younger generations to help them understand why caring for their bodies and staying healthy is so important. He wants children and young adults to feel empowered to make healthy choices and stay fit to prevent diabetes, hypertension and other health problems. At one point, George was a youth counselor, and to this day continues to maintain relationships with several of the kids he mentored, proudly watching them grow into adulthood over the past 20 years.

Creating the Quarter Century Club: Celebrating Recipients

George continues to remain involved in the Donate Life community and has started his own clubs throughout the past 50 years. Initially, George created the Graft Club, a support group for transplant recipients at George Washington University Hospital. The Graft Club hosted three dinner dances where recipients celebrated their transplants together. Dialysis doctors attended the dinners to see their patients celebrate and George remembers a few of them crying after experiencing firsthand how powerful the gift of donation is.

In 2003, George formed the Quarter Century Club with another transplant recipient, Barb Witt. They wanted to create a club for other individuals who have had their donated organ for 25 years. Originally, George and Barb hosted the event together at a local TGI Friday's, where members could meet for dinner and share their transplant stories.

In 2006, after the Transplant Games of America were held in Louisville, the club had the opportunity to host a dinner cruise. The Quarter Century Club quickly gained popularity. As more members joined, the Quarter Century Club expanded its search to find fun and unique venues. Their most recent celebration at the Transplant Games of America in Birmingham consisted of more than 600 attendees at an automobile museum. In 2024, George stepped down as the President of the Quarter Century Club and remains a proud founder.

Did You Know? The Quarter Century Club has members from the United States, Mexico, Australia and Canada.

Getting Involved in the Transplant Games of America: George’s Impact

George has been an active participant in the Transplant Games of America, representing Team Maryland in swimming and bowling.

Fun Fact: George has competed in 12 national games, two international games and has won 17 medals throughout his participation in the Transplant Games of America. He is decorated with seven gold, seven bronze and three silver medals.

In 2022, at the Transplant Games of America in San Diego, George’s heart suddenly stopped. He had just finished his swimming competition and began to walk to where the spectators were sitting on the other side of the pool deck when he collapsed. The only thing he remembered was reaching out to a team manager who grabbed onto him as he was falling. It took two AEDs to restart his heart.

George remembers waking up as medical personnel were ushering him into an ambulance. He gave a “thumbs up” to the crowd, letting them know he was okay as everyone clapped for him. Unfortunately, his heart stopped again in the ambulance. George was resuscitated a second time and had a pacemaker defibrillator implanted at the hospital.

While he was recovering, Bill Ryan, CEO, Transplant Games of America, honored George with the Male Athlete of the Games award. George has been advocating for organ, eye and tissue donation for over 50 years. He began sharing his transplant experience at just 18 years old, and his voice has continued to inspire and influence the Donate Life community. George is looking forward to competing and defending his titles at the next Transplant Games of America in Denver.

George and Joey: A Furry Friendship

George made a connection on Facebook with a donor mother. She posted that she was looking for someone to adopt her male chihuahua, Joey. For a while, George’s friends told him he needed a dog to keep him company, so George decided to meet Joey. After a calm and friendly meeting, Joey went home with George, and the two have been inseparable since. Joey and George go on regular walks together and enjoy sleeping in late.

“He was exactly what I needed when I needed him.” -George

George Celebrates 50 Years of Advocacy with His Lifesaving Kidney

Since receiving his kidney 50 years ago, George has learned that he loves helping others and giving back to the Donate Life community. He dedicates his time and knowledge, hoping his advocacy for organ, eye and tissue donation inspires others. He remains an active volunteer, attending Infinite Legacy’s Donate Life Flag Raisings in April and visits motor vehicle offices to encourage others to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. George is excited to celebrate 50 years and counting with his “new” kidney.

Did You Know? George is the oldest living African American recipient with the same kidney transplant from a deceased organ donor in the U.S.

Register as an Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor: Save Lives Today

You can help save lives like George's by registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor. We encourage everyone to get the facts and learn the lifesaving impact donation and transplantation has. Learn more about how you can get involved and discover stories of hope.

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