81-Year-Old Indiana Man Receives Kidney Transplant

An 81-year-old Indiana man has become the latest poster boy for those who believe it is never too late for an organ transplant.

Milan Sills, who received a kidney from a cadaver donor in an operation at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, reports that he feels "better than I had in 20 years."

Sills, who had been on the transplant waiting list for eight months, is reported to be the oldest person in that area to undergo a transplant, but the phenomenon of seniors receiving transplants is believed growing around the country.

Fred Cler, anemia transplant specialist at Ball Memorial Hospital, said Sills was a good example of how transplants can benefit older patients.

"Some of the older patients do better because their immune systems are somewhat worn out which requires less anti-rejection medicine to be used. Their immune systems are weaker so it takes less medicine to control it to keep the transplanted organ," Cler said.

"He's a spry 81-year-old," Cler said of Sills. "They brought him in from the recovery room and he hopped off the gurney and got into the bed himself."

As for Sills, he said he was looking forward to resuming his gardening work.

"I appreciate the fact that they cared for their fellow man to do this and make the donation," he said of his donor.

Other Sources: Muncie Star-Press