Olympic Gold Medalist Crissy Perham Donating Kidney to Father of Missy Franklin

Mar 21, 2015; Greensboro, NC, USA; Dick Franklin and DA Franklin watching daughter Missy Franklin in 400m freestyle relay during NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving-Championships at Greensboro Aquatic Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports-crissy-perham
Photo Courtesy: Evan Pike - USA TODAY Sports Images

Olympic Gold Medalist Crissy Perham Donating Kidney to Father of Missy Franklin

Olympic gold medalist Crissy Perham (Ahmann-Leighton) made an impact on the sport of swimming during her career.

She is continuing to have an impact on the sport, this time in a more personal way. Perham told Tuscon.com she is donating one of her kidneys to Dick Franklin, the father of Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin.

The connection stemmed from a post on social media by D.A. Franklin, Missy’s mother: “Our family is looking for a Hail Mary as we race against time. (My husband) Dick has end-stage kidney failure. If you know anyone who is interested in possibly donating a kidney, please have them contact me.”

Perham told Greg Hansen that hit message home for her.

“When I saw D.A.’s post, I was really moved,” Perham told Hansen. “My husband Charlie and I are driving from Tucson to Denver on Sunday. The transplant surgery is Wednesday.

“I feel good about it. All of the doctors have been very meticulous. I’ve gone through so many tests, jumped through so many hoops. They are careful not only about getting the exact match for the person with kidney disease, but also not to hurt the donor. It has been a really long process. I’m excited.”

Perham had go to through a number of tests before finding out she was a match.

“I kept moving up the list,” Perham told Hansen. “Finally, at the end of June, they told me I was the only person who had passed every test. They asked if I was still interested. I said, ‘You bet.’ I’m super, super lucky to be healthy enough to be the donor.”

Perham was a three-time medalist at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where she earned a pair of gold medals in relay action and was the silver medalist in the 100 butterfly. She won the 100 butterfly at the NCAA Championships in 1991 and 1992 while competing for the University of Arizona.
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John m razi
John m razi
1 year ago

Heart-soul miraculously-fabulous. Best. Best. Best. Prayers. For Missy Franklin’s Dad, too.

dscott
dscott
1 year ago

Have always loved and admired you, Crissy. This just further justifies those feelings. Best wishes to the Perham and Franklin families.

Deb Franklin Schottenfeld
Deb Franklin Schottenfeld
1 year ago

Forever grateful for your gracious heart – you literally gave my brother the gift of time and life – our hearts are so full. God Bless you Crissy!

Robin Walker
Robin Walker
1 year ago

Such a selfless act of kindness and love! Bless you Crissy! May good luck and karma follow you through your life!!

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