Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 15, Judy Gradisek managed her blood sugar levels the traditional way for many years. But as she approached 40, finger pricks and insulin injections were no longer enough.
Experiencing low iron levels and frequent fatigue, Judy, of Monaca, Pa., learned that she’d need to go on dialysis or receive a kidney transplant. Her doctor referred her to the UPMC Kidney Transplant Program.
Waiting for a Transplant
Because of her diabetes, Judy needed a simultaneous kidney-pancreas (SPK) transplant. On average, people wait one to two years for an SPK.
UPMC placed Judy on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) waiting list on July 5, 2000. Having AB negative blood type, she was hopeful that she’d find a match quickly. People with blood type AB are “universal recipients” because they’re able to receive an organ from people with any blood type.
Judy continued to work full time at her brother’s dental practice — but waited only five months. She received her SPK transplant on November 20, 2000, avoiding the need for dialysis.
After spending a week in the intensive care unit (ICU), Judy moved to a recovery room for another week. Her mom served as her care partner pre- and post-transplant, and her family stayed close to help with her recovery.
Diabetes runs in Judy’s family. Her grandfather, who was also diabetic, died of a heart attack when he was 69. According to the American Diabetes Association, having diabetes doubles your risk of developing heart disease.
A New Beginning
After her transplant, Judy’s type I diabetes completely vanished. Currently, her A1C level is 5.3%, meaning her blood sugar is at a healthy level.
“I had no idea that my diabetes could be completely cured!” she says.
Although her pancreas is still doing well,
Judy’s transplanted kidney began to fail in June 2019. Typically, deceased-donor kidneys last between 15 and 20 years.
Instead of joining the UNOS waiting list for a kidney, which can take two to five years or more, Judy turned to her family. Her brother, Rick, matched as a living kidney donor, and, on November 15, 2019, gave her the gift of life. She continues to take a minimal number of immunosuppressant medications.
Judy and her brother are both healthy — they even participated together in the 2022 Donate Life Transplant Games of America in San Diego. And in 2025, Judy celebrated the 25th anniversary of her SPK transplant.
Judy’s treatment and results may not be representative of other cases.