Gary Kureczka of Hartford is a man others in need often look to for support. Specifically, he helps people battling alcohol and drug addiction. It’s a career path he ventured down later in life.
“I got to go back to college in my 50's and become a drug and alcohol recovery counselor,” said Kureczka, now 65. “I did a clinical practicum in a sub-acute psychiatric hospital and got hired as a counselor. I found my niche and people grew to respect and love me. I am truly blessed and have had an amazing life.”
However, Kureczka had a difficult journey that led him to this work. He had his own demons to battle first. He served his country in the US Marine Corps in Vietnam for two years and returned home a chemically dependent person. He suffered combat PTSD along with an addictive family history. Those risk factors, combined with the culture of the late 60's all led to his battle with addiction.
He got sober in December 1984 but the damage had been done. Thirteen years later, a hospitalization for severe pain and fatigue lead to his diagnosis of Hepatitis C and Stage 4, End Stage Liver Disease.
“I was flabbergasted as I had been living a normal life with a wife and family. I told the doctors I was clean and sober for 14 years,” said Kureczka. “They said go see Hartford Transplant and try to get a liver transplant. Shock was a mild term to use as I had no idea I had Hepatitis C or liver disease until then.”
The next six months brought a battery of tests and screenings that would eventually lead to Kureczka’s name being added to the wait list for a new liver. He was extremely lucky and his wait only lasted one week. He got the call to stand by because there was a liver available for him and it was a perfect match.
“I could speak forever on how the transplant has changed my life,” said Kureczka. “The major ways are learning what is important in life, starting with helping and living my life to help others. I am grateful every day and gained the role of spiritual seeker.”
Most importantly, Kureczka’s life altering experience has given him a brand new perspective on how he wants to live his life...all because he was given a second chance. Once suffering from addiction, he is the now the counselor who leads others out of addiction and into sobriety. He hopes to inspire others to make the commitment to register to donate. It’s a decision that can save many lives.
“Everyone can put on their driver’s license that they are a donor. The chances of it happening are very small and you get credit for your intention to help others,” he said. “If you truly became an organ and tissue and eye donor your legacy could be that you improved or gave life itself to more than 50 people. Now that’s a true hero.”
“I began volunteering for LifeChoice in 2000, and this helped my values change to helping others in any way I can. I have done many events, public education, speaking commitments, and health fairs to spread the message and put a face on organ donation.”
In this country, 21 people die each day waiting for a lifesaving organ. A single organ donor can save the lives of eight people, while a single tissue donor can save and heal 50 others through needed heart valves, corneas, skin, bone, and tendons that mend hearts, prevent or cure blindness, heal burns and save limbs.
On Saturday, May 2nd, LifeChoice Donor Services is hosting the 2nd Annual Blue & Green 5K and 2 Mile Walk/Fun Run to gather the community in support of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Funds raised from the event will be used to educate the public about the critical need for more people in Connecticut and Massachusetts to join the Donor Registry and to support donor families. The event will feature entertainment, local Food Trucks, the Wall of Hope and all registrants will receive a Donate Life t-shirts. Through this event, LifeChoice strives to inspire the local community to give life to its neighbors in need.
LifeChoice Donor Services, Inc. is the federally designated, non-profit organ procurement organization (OPO) for six counties in Connecticut and three counties in Western Massachusetts with a combined population of 2.3 million people. The OPO serves twenty-three acute care hospitals for organ and tissue donation and two organ transplant hospitals, Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA.
LifeChoice Donor Services is a member in good standing of the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) and the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO). For more information about LifeChoice and to join the Donor Registry, please visit www.lifechoiceopo.org or call 1.800.874.5215.