Richard Franklin Recovering After Kidney Transplant; Crissy Perham ‘Saved My Life’
Richard “Dick” Franklin, the father of Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin, is recovering after undergoing a kidney transplant this week. He received a kidney from 1992 Olympic swimmer Crissy Perham (Ahmann-Leighton).
Franklin seemed in good spirits after the surgery. On Friday, he posted on Facebook: “I guess the news is out now. I am truly humbled by this wonderful person who has saved my life.”
The connection stemmed from a post on social media by D.A. Franklin, Missy’s mother. Earlier this year, when it became clear that Dick Franklin required a transplant, D.A. wrote: “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.”
D.A. Franklin shared her love and appreciation for Perham in a message: “She is really Dick’s guardian angel and saved his life.”
Perham was discharged from the hospital and is recovering.
Perham told Greg Hansen at Tucson.com that D.A.’s social-media message hit home for her. She went into the transplant with a positive mindset and shared how doctors prepared for the operation.
“When I saw D.A.’s post, I was really moved,” Perham told Hansen. “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.
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.