From KTVI News, August 8, 2005
It''s a special anniversary for a south St. Louis man. It was ten years ago he received a life-saving kidney. Since then, he''s been focused on giving back. Tom O''Neal shows us how his efforts are coming around full circle.
It was a surprise party for Ron Pestka thrown by the staff of transplant services at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Complete with a kidney cake, it marks the anniversary of the transplant. The party was also to say thanks to Ron for what he''s given back.
Mitch Mahon from Barnes-Jewish Hospital said, "He volunteers teaching potential patients that are trying to learn about a transplant, which is so wonderful because they''re hearing it first hand from someone who''s lived it and experienced it."
Twice a week, Ron teaches a class for patients who are facing what he did a decade ago. "I tell them we''re not trying to build rocket ships here to go to Mars. We''re going to get you a new kidney and it will be better than being on dialysis."
He''s a good example of that. Ron and his wife Judy have three children and 5 grandchildren to keep them busy. They say they have something else to be thankful for. Three years ago, Ron and his transplanted kidney survived a serious car wreck.