Michael S. Walter, Organ Recipient

Before he was 30, Michael was diagnosed with a rare liver disease, for which there is no known cause or cure. His first organ transplant was on Valentine’s Day 2002. About a year later, he grew very ill and needed a second transplant. Miraculously, he got the call on St. Patrick’s Day 2003 that they had a liver for him. The first transplant involved one major surgery. The second transplant entailed nine that meant a much longer, bumpier road to recovery.

Michael worked hard to go from someone too weak to get out of bed to someone who was an athlete. Sheer determination and drive transformed him into a stellar example of the quality of life that could be achieved after transplant. To honor his donors and their families, he became a global ambassador spreading the word about the need for organ donations and the success of organ transplants.

In 2005, he joined Team USA and competed in his first World Transplant Games in London, Canada. He would go on to ultimately win more than 25 gold medals (plus many silver and bronze) by competing in four World Transplant Games and as a part of Team Texas in seven Transplant Games of America.

He set records in long-distance swimming – an event that most transplant athletes shy away from because it requires endurance. Whether it was in the pool, on his bike, at track and field events or whatever “fun” sport he added to his schedule, Michael constantly challenged himself to beat not the opposition, but his own best times. He was a fierce competitor, but you saw his true heart when he’d win a race but stay in the pool cheering home the swimmer who was struggling just to finish last.

Perhaps Michael’s biggest joy was in team sports, including volleyball, basketball, pickleball and tennis. He was at home with others as the captain of the swim team or coaching the basketball team when he could no longer risk further injuries on the court. He was his teammates’ biggest fan. He gave pointers on how to improve for those who wanted it, but he and his family would be your biggest cheerleaders, too – all showing up and supporting you with their smiles and sideline cheers. If Michael was having a bad day, physically (and there were plenty of those) – you would never know it.

He went from being a patient the transplant team later confided they didn’t think would survive, to being their poster boy, literally. The Dallas hospital has a photo display of Michael and one of his medals hanging in the liver transplant clinic to inspire other patients facing the transplant journey.

Michael lived his life to the motto: “Live Like You Mean It!” He did that every single day to honor the selfless gifts he was entrusted with and took fabulous care of during his 19 “bonus” years. He positively impacted everyone he met along the way. He may be gone now, but his legacy lives.

Michael will be honored at the Lone Star Circle of Life event held May 12 in Austin. Visit our website for more details https://LSCOL.com