Crissy Perham After Donating Kidney to Richard Franklin: ‘I Did What I felt Moved to do’
Crissy Perham knew she wanted to help.
After reading a social-media post by D.A. Franklin about her husband, and Missy Franklin‘s father, Richard “Dick” Franklin needing a kidney, she decided there was a clear way to help. So, Perham (Ahmann-Leighton) signed up to be a donor. The decision led to a very special connection within the swimming community with an Olympic gold medalist serving as a donor for another Olympic gold medalist’s parent.
The kidney that Perham donated has fittingly been dubbed “Olympia” by Missy and the family.
“I knew who they were after seeing D.A.’s post. I did not know the Franklins personally, but we had a lot of acquaintainces in common. We decided not to be anonymous and we wanted to talk about it,” Perham told Swimming World. “We felt like we had a message to share about living donors. It was a connection we wanted to share.”
And “Olympia” is a bond they will forever share.
“As they were wheeling me away, I pulled down my mask and said I love you, as the anethesia was kicking in,” Perham said. “I went in very healthy, so I had an advantage. I have a really high pain tolerance, which didn’t really help me in the 200 fly, but I didn’t have to take any pain medications afterward (in the hospital). So as soon as I was feeling better and walking, they let me go.
“Dick got out of the ICU on Thursday, and I got to go in and see him. I finally got to see him and give him a great big hug.”
“I am truly humbled by this wonderful person who has saved my life,” Dick Franklin posted on Facebook.
The succesful procedure was the end of a road that started with D.A.’s post on social media in January.
“She is really Dick’s guardian angel and saved his life,” D.A. Franklin said.
Perham, who won gold on two relays at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and claimed silver in the 100 butterfly, had to go through a number of tests after signing up in January to be a donor. She didn’t find out she would officially be the donor until July. Even then, there was a chance it wouldn’t be for Franklin. She was originally second on the donor list with him. Doctors asked if she would be willing to donate to someone else if that was the case.
Perham, a two-time NCAA champion, knew the answer in her heart.
“I did what I felt moved to do,” Perham said. “I wasn’t even the first person to come in and do the tests. They asked if it wasn’t Dick would I still want to go through with the registration to be a donor and the answer was definitely a yes. I had gone that far that I wanted to help somebody. The first person fell through and I found out it was me and I was already done with all of the testing.”
But having it forever be a connection of Olympic swimming families is something very special to Perham.
“Knowing that Missy was an only child and just had their first grandbaby, it was really moving. They are really active parents and grandparents,” Perham said. “I cannot tell you how stinking happy they are to be Bubba and Nana to that baby girl. Now they will be living near them and able to go on walks with him. Dick and his granddaughter share a birthday. He will get to share a great time as Bubba to that girl for a really long time. That is the best.”
In the aftermath of the successful procedure, the Perham and the Franklin families have been overwhelmed with support from within the swimming community. Their story is one they hope inspires other to be living donors.
“Our choice to go public was a team choice and part of that is being athletes and understanding the team mentality,” Perham said. “I do think that the swimming community has a fantastic feel around it. The fact that Missy and I were Olympians at the pinnacle of our sport and share the story is fantastic, but you would not believe the number of people reaching out to us that were in our swimming community.
“We feel so much love just because of swimming. That speaks a lot to our national team and just being in the sport as something in the U.S. I think it kicks ass. I feel super validated that I did this out of love and support. And we are seeing that support back from everyone. It shows I made the right choice. That is empowering.”
“Team Kidney” Frank Busch, Patty Busch, D.A. Franklin and Charlie Perham. Photo Courtesy: Crissy Perham