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Subject: [KYBELL] Father-son transplant saves life
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 13:56:35 EDT

Father-son transplant saves life
By Stephen Huba, Post staff reporter
As far as the Rev. Marion Woolum knows, there's nothing in the Bible about a
kidney transplant leading to eternal life.
But there is something in there about giving of yourself for others.
Rev. Woolum, pastor of Newport Church of God on Keturah Street, got a new
lease on life Tuesday following a successful kidney transplant operation made
possible by his youngest son.
John Woolum was the kidney donor.
Both men have been released from Christ Hospital, and Rev. Woolum's new
kidney is functioning normally.
'''You gave me life,' '' Rev. Woolum told his son after the surgery.
His voice choked with emotion.
Rev. Woolum, 51, has known since October that his diabetes would necessitate
a kidney transplant.
Fortunately, he didn't have to look any further than his 25-year-old son for
a kidney donor.
''I just decided I'd volunteer if I matched up,'' said John Woolum, who lives
in Covington.
Doctors found a cross-match between three out of the six antigens necessary
for having a successful transplant.
The younger Woolum just got married in August 1997 and works as a clerk at
the Children's Hospital Medical Center satellite clinic in Mason, Ohio.
Rev. Woolum said he's not used to being on the receiving end of hospital
visits but that his parishioners have been very supportive.
The Newport church, affiliated with the Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.),
will be without its pastor for at least the next month.
Filling in temporarily is the Rev. Gorman Scalf, the husband of Rev. Woolum's
niece, Wanda Scalf of London, Ky.
Rev. Woolum's wife, Norma, said she'll be able to take three weeks off
because of the generosity of her colleagues at Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Employees in the hematology/oncology department, where Mrs. Woolum works as a
data manager, donated some of their vacation time to her.
''That's a wonderful gift,'' she said.
Rev. Woolum said it will be difficult returning to his church of 10 years.
He's been instructed by his doctors to restrict his contact with outsiders
until his immune system is strong again.
''I'm known as a hand-shaking preacher,'' he said. ''That'll be hard on me.''
Publication date: 03-09-98
The Cincinnati Post.

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