My name is Conrad McCrary. I was born in Birmingham, Ala., on Dec. 26, 1935. My early goals in life were to play college football and graduate as quickly as possible. Fortunately, I was able to do both.

Married in 1956, I had three children by 1962. My wife and I, along with the children, were very active in all types of sporting and athletic activities. Then, in 1963 things began to change drastically for me. I started getting tired very easily, developed an unquenchable thirst, frequent urination and loss of appetite, weight and muscle tone. All of these symptoms are known today, but I had no clue as to what was happening at that time.

Education regarding diabetes and many other serious illnesses has greatly improved. Unlimited cures provided by organ transplants are leading the way for new life for many whom might otherwise be "pushing up daises." I know!

Four years ago I was a brittle diabetic on dialysis and an extremely restrictive diet with a very poor style of life. While on dialysis, I contracted the niceria bacteria virus. In intensive care for almost a month, I actually died twice only to be brought back by the persistence of my wife, the good Methodist Healthcare doctors and the Harvey team.

Before getting on the waiting list for a kidney-pancreas transplant, I wasn't really sure whether living, as I was, was much better than death itself. Initially, I was told that these types of transplants were limited to people under age 50. I was 65. After extensive testing and evaluations, I was told that I had the body of a typical 50-year-old and was put on the waiting list. I received my transplants November 3, 2000.

It's been almost four years now. Any post operative aches, pains and problems? Yes. Worth it? You bet. I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for my wife; my entire family; my transplant surgeon, Dr. Osama Gaber; my nurse practitioner, Teresa Rutland; and the good Lord. They are genuine lifesavers!

Organ donors provide the opportunity to prolong life and improve the quality of life. Believe me; it works. Not only has it extended my life, but it also has made a world of difference on the rigid requirements and sacrifices made by my wife. I'm sure a lot of pre-transplant patients have a high degree of anxiety. They shouldn't worry; their time will come when a donor with a perfect match is found.

Life has been good for our family. Our daughter Denise graduated from the University of Alabama where she was a feature twirler; she then went on to law school. Our oldest son, Conrad Jr., graduated from the University of Mississippi and our youngest son, Brian, graduated from Florida State University. Both boys attended college on football scholarships. All three are still very involved in community and sporting activities and have excellent careers.

Everything was going good, then all of a sudden - bam - I was thrown back to 1963. Our oldest grandson, John Conrad, will begin college this fall on a football scholarship. He has just learned that he, too, is a Type I insulin dependent diabetic. But, he is determined not to let diabetes keep him from reaching his full athletic potential. When the going gets tough; the tough get going.