Melissa Nelson
Type of Donation: pancreas recipient
Age and Location: Age 38 – Bettendorf, IA
Date of Transplant: 4/25/2019
Sponsor: Honored by Iowa Donor Network
MELISSA’S STORY
Melissa Nelson received a pancreas transplant on April 25th, 2019. During her last semester in college, Melissa was diagnosed with type-1 Diabetes. She learned how to manage her condition and went from injections, to wearing a pump and a continuous glucose monitor. Unfortunately, even after all her efforts, she still became very ill. The year before her transplant, her blood sugar was critically dropping, and her body was no longer responding.
Melissa became a candidate for a pancreas transplant. Shortly after getting listed at the University of Madison, Wisconsin, Melissa received that bittersweet call that forever changed not only her life, but the life of her family. She immediately started mourning and grieving for her donor and their family. They were told her donor would go to the OR the following day. April 25th changed many lives. Melissa and her husband drove two and a half hours from Iowa to Madison, Wisconsin, so she could receive the gift of life.
Complications arose after Melissa's surgery, and she was given a slim chance of keeping the gift she just received. Her heart sank, and she told her care team to do whatever they could to help her keep this pancreas. Melissa did not give up, nor did the healthcare professionals who helped her.
Now a healthy 38-year-old with the same pancreas, Melissa hasn't needed a unit of insulin since surgery. Since her transplant, Melissa has become an active volunteer with the Iowa Donor Network and an advocate of the importance of organ donation, showing gratitude towards donors and their families. She's involved in local hospital education days and participated in the 2022 Transplant Games of America in San Diego, CA. She helped Team Iowa at The Transplant Games win the 1st place trophy! Melissa can do physical activities and not worry about her blood sugars dropping low. She enjoys running, swimming, and biking and has been able to participate in triathlons. She coached her son's soccer team for many seasons and is his den leader for Scouts.
Donation and transplantation have long impacted her life. Melissa has several loved ones who gave the gift of donation and watched her father also receive a life-saving transplant.
"The best part is that I can keep up with my son's busy schedule and energy without extra worries about my health. Transplantation is an amazing journey that tests the limits of human strength and courage. It requires commitment, faith, and mental, emotional, and physical endurance. It's one of life's greatest challenges, and among the rewards is life itself. I will forever be grateful to my donor and their family for the final selfless act. Not only did this gift change my life but my entire family. Thank you, living donors, donor families, and my donor angel." - Melissa