FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 16, 2002

PANCREAS-KIDNEY RECIPIENT TO CARRY OLYMPIC TORCH

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- Chris Chiarello had been an avid runner, competing at the high school and collegiate levels, until diabetes forced him to relinquish his pastime, as well as his goal of completing a marathon. However, since receiving a pancreas-kidney transplant at UC Davis Medical Center 10 years ago, Chiarello is a regular participant in marathons and other running events, and will mark his latest achievement on Saturday, Jan. 19, when he serves as a torchbearer in the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Torch Relay.

One of thousands of Americans chosen to carry the torch on its way to Salt Lake City, Chiarello will transport the flame at 2:20 p.m. at Clayton Gardens in Concord, Calif.

"I'll be out there carrying the torch for all organ-transplant recipients," said Chiarello, a resident of Davis, Calif.

Chiarello's need for organ transplantation stemmed not only from diabetes, which had severely damaged his kidneys and required him to use dialysis, but an associated case of retinopathy that threatened his vision.

The benefits of Chiarello's transplant in May 1992 were immediate. Just eight hours after the operation, he was able to be taken off of insulin. Later that year, Chiarello attended the U.S. Transplant Games as an observer. He also has been to related events since then as a participant.

Competing in the 400-meter and 1,500-meter runs and 5K road races, Chiarello has won 35 medals at events such as the International and U.S. Transplant Games. In the 2000 U.S. Transplant Games, Chiarello was the top finisher in all age groups in the 5K race. He also has completed the Boston Marathon.

Chiarello's participation in different athletic events is part of his effort to spread the word about the benefits of transplantation. He is particularly interested in promoting pancreas transplantation, as it freed him from diabetes. He said he often meets recipients of kidney transplants who continue to have problems with diabetes after their operations.

I'm living proof that pancreas transplants work," Chiarello said.

A number of other former patients of the UC Davis Transplant Program have accomplished athletic achievements following their operations:

* Michael Garcia, a liver recipient, has won a gold medal in badminton and a bronze medal in table tennis at the U.S. Transplant Games.

* Jackie Hurst, a kidney recipient, has won a silver medal in bicycle racing and a bronze medal in racquetball at the U.S. Transplant Games.

* Thomas Hobday, a kidney recipient, won a silver medal in the slalom event at the 2001 Winter World Transplant Games.

Established in 1985, the UC Davis Transplant Center performs transplants of the liver, kidney and pancreas, as well as combination kidney-pancreas transplants. Since 1985, UC Davis transplant surgeons have performed 684 kidney transplants, 111 liver transplants, 12 pancreas transplants and 78 combination kidney-pancreas transplants.

The UC Davis Transplant Center performs kidney transplants from first-degree relatives (siblings, parents, children) and unrelated living donors, including "Good Samaritans" -- people who donate a kidney without designating a specific recipient. UC Davis has performed a total of 193 living donor kidney transplants. UC Davis transplant surgeons were the first on the West Coast to use the minimally invasive technique known as laparoscopic nephrectomy to remove the donor kidney. Unlike a conventional nephrectomy, this leading-edge laparoscopic surgery requires only several small incisions to remove the kidney. Ninety-seven patients have undergone laparascopic nephrectomies at UC Davis.

Copies of all news releases from UC Davis Health System are available on the Web at
http://news.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu

MEDIA CONTACT:
David Ong, Medical News Office, (916) 734-9049

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