IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – A kidney transplant at the Iowa City VA Medical Center has given a navy veteran a new lease on life. Navy veteran Jeffrey Pruitt was diagnosed with renal failure and was told he had six months before he’d be incapacitated. After fighting it for five years he got his lucky break with a kidney transplant.

“I will honor that transplant team with my life by living the absolute best life I can,” Pruitt said.

Pruitt said his fight with kidney failure was painful, but it’s a fight he’s using as inspiration for his new passion for art. Post-transplant, he’s made a career out of painting and creating music.

“The art came out of the pain,” Pruitt said. “I would not be doing this today if it were not for the suffering.”

Pruitt’s survival doesn’t only inspire his art, it also affects the way he lives his life. His outlook left an impression on the transplant team that helped him through his recovery.

“Every time I talk to Jeff I end up either crying or laughing,” Stacey Abel, who was on the team that helped Pruitt with his recovery, said. “He’s a light.”

Pruitt says he’s thankful for the work the team put into his recovery.

“They’re just so thoroughly invested in you,” Pruitt said. “They treat me as family and I love them and every chance I get I’m going to sing their praise.”

Veterans travel from around the nation to the Iowa City VA Medical Center for kidney transplants.

The connection between the recipient and the transplant team extends beyond their stay at the VA Medical Center. In some cases, it’s a lifelong relationship that lasts way longer than their time at the hospital.

“It’s really about building relationship, building trust,” Abel said. “Letting that patient know that we’re here, not only for this three-week period, but we’re here for the duration.”

Many patients wait years for transplants. The Iowa Donor Network reports more than 600 Iowans are on the waiting list, while an average of 17 Americans die every day awaiting a transplant.

There are local and national resources for those interested in becoming an organ donor:

The Iowa Donor Network has assistance for the donor registration process with information and statistics about the need for donors.

Programs like the National Kidney Foundation or Donate Life American help people across the country with the donation process.

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