Short

title: Q Employee Needs 2nd Kidney

At a Glance: Jeff Parke is battling Alport Syndrome and as a result is on the kidney transplant list for a
second time.
Teaser: Jeffs Story

Quintiles Employee Seeks Second Kidney Transplant

Based in the Triangle region of North Carolina, Quintiles Regulatory and Start-Up Coordinator Jeff Parke
was a healthy young man just starting college when he made a startling discovery. When trying out for
the Duquesne University baseball team, a physical exam showed hematuria (blood in his urine). A few
tests later, Jeff was diagnosed with Alport Syndrome. Alport Syndrome is a genetic disorder categorized
by kidney failure, hearing loss and vision loss.
Jeffs kidneys were failing and he needed a transplant. It is a long arduous process to get onto the UNOS
(United Network for Organ Sharing) transplant list which involves an extremely thorough examinations
by a nephrologist, cardiologist, psychologist, and multiple other doctors to determine that one is
physically and mentally healthy enough to get listed.
After getting on the list, one must wait until a match is found. However, if one has a sought-after blood
type, such as A-positive, the wait can be even longer due to competition with other donors of the same
blood type.
At the age of 26, Jeff received his first kidney transplant. I felt an instantaneous euphoria, excitement,
and panic all at once (when notified), said Jeff. Now 43, he is on the transplant list once again awaiting
his second kidney since the donated organ he received has failed.
He got back on the list six and a half years ago and says the process is more difficult with additional
testing and more factors that could prevent him from receiving another kidney. Once again, Jeff had to
see a cardiologist, pulmonologist, sociologist and psychologist, among other doctors, taking longer to
get onto the transplant list.
While waiting for a second transplant, Jeff must be on dialysis for four hours a day, three days a week. If
one takes into account driving and pre and post assessments, the total time amounts to approximately
six hours per day. In January, Jeff was examined to see if his body would accept a potential donors
kidney. Unfortunately, it was a positive cross-match which means that the recipients antibodies will
attack those of the donor and is not suitable for transplant. Jeff has received two additional donor
notifications since January, but neither of those worked out.
Jeff says his illness has put life into perspective for him. You appreciate the little things, I mean every
drink you take, he explains. I am on constant fluid and dietary restrictions, and I pay close attention to
everything I eat and drink. It makes me a little more patient. For example, (most people) can drink six
glasses of water and thats fine for you, especially if your kidneys work, but for me, that could be a death
sentence because my body cant handle it.

Ive learned that you have to take life for what it is, Jeff says. I still have my dark days and hopeless
days, but some days I think, Hey its Tuesday or Hey its Thursday. I never appreciated a Tuesday or
Thursday so much until now, but those are the days I dont have dialysis, so they mean more now.
Jeff credits his mother and girlfriend Marie for being his support system and helping him cope with his
treatments. Another way he copes is his love of all things outdoors. A self-described adrenaline junkie,
Jeff loves Kayaking, cliff diving, sky diving and states, If I can be outside I will be.
A Sense of Purpose, Accomplishment & Belonging
In addition to his outdoor pursuits, Jeff loves his job at Quintiles. Hes been working here for seven
years and exclaims, I love Quintiles. I tell everyone I know that I love this company. The company has
been so patient. Having supportive colleagues, line managers, and directors all the way up the chain has
really helped.
Jeff says his illness gives him the drive to work harder, and working helps keep his mind off things, giving
him a sense of purpose, accomplishment and belonging. What I do might not seem like a big deal, but it
adds to the clinical research process which I know, in turn, is saving lives, he says.
The thing Jeff wants all Quintiles employees to realize is that the message is much bigger than just him.
He asserts, Its not just about me. There are thousands of people like me and thousands that get added
to the transplant list every day. There are ways to get involved, like being a living donor or contributing
to organizations such the American Kidney Fund or Donate Life among others. I want people to be
educated (about the need for organ donation) and understand that you can create a legacy for yourself
and give life. Someone would be giving me my life back. Be an organ donor, just do it.

About the Reporter:
This story was reported and written by Corporate Communications Intern Monica Evans, a rising senior
at Elon University.
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