ATLANTA — A five-time Olympic gold medal swimmer and UGA graduate shared an impactful story during March, National Kidney Month after her father received a transplant from another Olympian.
There are 37 million Americans who have kidney disease, and for Missy Franklin, that person was her father. She hopes families will learn more about the importance of having conversations about health history.
Missy's dad, Dick Franklin, was diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, or ADPKD. It is a rare genetic condition that causes cysts to form on the kidneys, eventually leading to a decline in kidney function and requiring dialysis or a transplant.
"It was a scary time for all of us," she said. "It was hard on my dad and difficult for my mom, who was his primary caregiver."
Dick Franklin's disease progressed, and he ultimately needed a transplant. He received a living donor transplant in 2022. One of the most incredible parts of their story was revealed on transplant day. They discovered his living kidney donor was also an Olympic gold medalist in swimming.
Chrissy Perham won three medals at the 1992 Olympics. She saw D.A. Franklin's Facebook post that her husband, Dick, was in end-stage kidney failure. D.A. posted a "Hail Mary" request for a donor. Perham acted and discovered she was a match. She'd never met the Franklin family but knew about Missy's tremendous success as one of USA Swimming's most decorated women ever.
"Chrissy Perham saved my dad and gave us the gift of time, which is the most important gift of all," Missy said.
Link | Kidney disease resources
Missy made her Olympic debut at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London when she was 17 and continued to swim competitively. She transferred to the University of Georgia to study and train, where she worked with legendary coach Jack Bauerle until she retired from the sport in 2018.
Missy now lives in Nashville with her daughter and husband. She and former teammate and Olympic champion Katie Hoff host a podcast, "Unfiltered Waters," where they share the untold stories of elite athletes.
"Hearing their stories and vulnerabilities has been so powerful," Missy said.
She is looking forward to the Summer Olympics in Paris, and when asked about her favorite part of the competition, Missy said, "It's representing your country."
"There is no better feeling than knowing that you have reached the pinnacle of your sport, and every time you hit the pool, you represent something so much bigger than yourself," she said.