Tracy Morgan Recovering from Kidney Transplant
Comedian Tracy Morgan (right) at Madison Square Garden on October 30, 2010 in New York City. (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
(CBS) Tracy Morgan, star of NBC's "30 Rock," is recovering after a successful kidney transplant.
Morgan, 42, who plays a mentally unbalanced comedian on the sitcom, is taking time off from the show to recover following surgery about 10 days ago, reports Entertainment Weekly. The actor was diagnosed with diabetes in 1996.
About 24 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, a disease in which one's blood glucose, or sugar level, is too high. This according to the latest statistics from the American Diabetes Association.
With Type 2 diabetes - the more common type - the body either does not properly use insulin or doesn't produce enough.
Insulin is a hormone that helps get glucose into cells so it can be used as energy. If that doesn't happen, glucose can build up in the blood, which can cause kidney, eye and nerve damage. If untreated, it is life-threatening and can result in loss of limbs, heart disease and stroke.
Family history, poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity are major risk factors. African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans are particularly vulnerable.
Although Morgan learned he had diabetes about 15 years ago, it wasn't until years later, when he got very sick, that be began to take the disease seriously, he told Time.
Said the comedian: "The doctor was like, 'Hey, listen, we may have to take your foot.' That was it for me. Now I take my insulin every day. My blood sugar doesn't get over 120."
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As you know there is not a voice for this disease, so I would like someone to hear my story. I would like to be the voice for kidney disease that no one hears about. Kidney disease is like an untold secret that millions of people have, but we don't hear about it unless someone famous happens to have it, then we hear about it. My desire is to be heard throughout the world. To let the world know how this disease, which is also a dying disease, is not talk about enough. I would so much appreciate it if someone would give me the opportunity to hear my story and about my fight for kidney disease. Please reply to my comment.
This comment above is incorrect. Type 2 diabetics produce enough / make enough insulin, they do NOT have the autoimmune disease (Type 1) consisting of antibodies that kill the insulin producing cells (beta cells) in their bodies. Type 2's make enough - produce enough insulin, sometimes high levels of insulin but their weight, lifesytle, among other things, makes their bodies unable to use their insulin effectively.
Type 1's are the diabetics who do NOT make enough insuln, they'll die if they don't inject insulin because it is an autoimmune disease, nothing they can do, no diet or exercise, to make symptoms subside. There is NO cure for either but Type 2 can be managed with diet, exercise, etc..Type 1 (which I have) cannot, if one has type 1 diabetes they must take insulin to stay alive, type 1 diabetics typically are very thin and have no other health issues, it's an autoimmune disease.
Thus, don't write comments about a subject you clearly have no insight in to. Also, it is NOT sugar...type 1 diabetics can eat sugar, they can eat anything they want, they take insulin to help them process the CARBS, it's CARBS...not sugar. DUH!
He has someone to donate a kidney to him, but can't have the transplant soon, as he cannot afford the anti-rejection drugs that he would be required to take, once he would have a kidney transplant. The kidney will fail without these drugs.
Although he has insurance, these drugs will cost him about $800 a month for the first 3 years and then up to $2,500 a month after.
If he doesn't have a transplant, he will die. 80% of those who are on dialysis don't live more than 10 years on dialysis.
He hooked up with the NTAF Southwest Kidney Transplant Fund. A legitimate and very reputable organization.
He is young and can have a great and productive life ahead, with your help!
Contributions would be sent directly to the organization, in his name. I have the forms as well.
For more information, please feel free to contact me at:
E-mail: KidneyMitzvah@aol.com
Website: www.SaveALife-DonateAKidney.com
Sincerely,
Chaya Lipschutz
Vanessa is a mother of 2 little kids. SHE IS ON DIALYISIS FOR OVER 13 YEARS AND HAS ONLY A 1% CHANCE IN FINDING A MATCH. HELP!
I know her and she is such a lovely woman. See my YouTube video on Vanessa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MdN4t8MAac
HER LITTLE KIDS NEED THEIR MOM!
Please contact me ASAP. Being a kidney donor myself, I can give you all the info you need.
Sincerely,
Chaya Lipschutz
E-mail: KidneyMitzvah@aol.com
Website: www.SaveALIfe-DonateAKidney.com
My YouTube video on kidney donation:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Chaya+Lipschutz&aq=f
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. For those who already have diabetes - do whatever the doctor tells you. Keep an eye on your blood sugar. And watch your diet, strictly. Too much sugar is poision when you have high diabetes.
For those who don't have diabetes but are obese - lose weight! Because obesity can lead to diabetes!
In general, everyone needs to take good care of their health! Exercise, eat healthy (low fat, high fiber diet) and keep your BMI (Body Mass Index) below 25 is best. A BMI over 25 is called overweight. And a BMI over 30 is called obese.
Chaya Lipschutz
I donated a kidney and it was the greatest experience of my life. If I can do it again, I would do it again tomorrow.
Since my kidney donation, I have been wanting to do more. So I now have a project to help others who need a kidney. I don't get paid for this and don't charge a fee. My brother donated a kidney as well, to someone on my list of people in need of a kidney.
If anyone out there is considering kidney donation and would like more info - please feel free to contact me!
Sincerely,
Chaya Lipschutz
Kidney Donor & Kidney Matchmaker
E-mail: KidneyMitzvah@aol.com
Website: www.SaveALife-DonateAKidney.com
YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtZ7KModWRU