Dorothea Duffy had several false starts. Suffering kidney failure, she had been placed on a waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant for four years. But it took eight possible donor matches for the right one to materialize.
Duffy, an active parishioner of St. Joseph’s in Lincoln Park, relied on faith and received an answer to her prayers in early January 2014. Two small but suitable kidneys were available from Ben Diamond, a 2-year-old boy who died of complications from encephalitis and the flu. Ben’s priceless gift enriched not only Duffy but also the hearts of the donor family.
“The kidney transplant gave me my life back,” Duffy said. “Ben lives on through me. He’s my angel. I am so blessed.”
Duffy underwent the surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadel-phia the day after Ben’s death. Because his kidneys were small, she received both of them. Ben’s kidneys quickly grew to full size after the transplant.
Since then, Duffy has been sharing her story and educating people about the lifesaving power of organ and tissue donation as a NJ Sharing Network (NJSN) ambassador. She has spoken locally and appeared on radio and TV. Duffy has talked many times at St. Joseph’s, most recently at Masses on Nov. 9–10 weekend.
“I am eternally grateful to my donor family for deciding to give the gift of life through their loved one,” Duffy said. “In their honor, I’m sharing my experience and spreading the word about the importance of registering as a donor.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as an expression of generous solidarity. (no. 2296).
The significance of Ben’s gift became clearer to Duffy when she first met Susan Diamond, his mother, in 2016. As they tearfully embraced, Diamond of Middle-town said to Duffy, “Thank you.”
“My thing with Dorothea always has been: We didn’t save her; she saved me. This [donation of his organs] has become a part of Ben’s legacy, and it’s become our destiny, for myself and his big brother Jake [almost 14],” Duffy recalled Diamond said.
One morning, Ben woke up ill and then began having seizures. He was later diagnosed with encephalitis — swelling of the brain. Ben died at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia from what’s believed to be complications from the flu.
Four years before, in January 2010, Duffy started experiencing symptoms of kidney failure. Later, she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that affected her kidneys. She started dialysis three times weekly, adopted a special diet, and limited her liquid intake.
Duffy is retired as the creative design manager of a pharmaceutical company, who in that role had created promotional materials for the Transplant Games of America. She competed in the games in 2016. Duffy and her Team Dorothea have also participated in NJSN’s 5K Celebration of Life, often with Diamond.
Duffy has drawn spiritual strength as a St. Joseph’s parishioner for nearly 30 years. She is on the decorating committee and is an usher.
“I believed my surgeon would heal my body. I relied on faith that it would work out. I’m so grateful for that gift.”
Information: njsharingnetwork.org
