Tuesday, October 05, 1999
Minister gave, now will receive
Woman inspired by his teaching donates kidney
BY ALLEN HOWARD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Lisa Mahoney, 18, has no doubts aobut her decision to donate a kidney to the Rev. Mel Lusk.
(Gary Landers photos)
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The message was planted about 2,000 years ago when Jesus told his disciples: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Rev. Melvin Lusk has used that verse many times, teaching a youth Sunday school class at the Delhi Christian Center, Sedamsville.
Today, the fruits of his teaching might save his life. A pupil, Lisa Mahoney, 18, will donate a kidney to Rev. Lusk in a transplant operation at Christ Hospital.
“I don't think I can stand by and watch someone die who has been that close to me,” Ms. Mahoney said. “I have been very close to Rev. Lusk and his wife. To me they are perfect sweethearts. They just had a grandson, and I think he should be given a chance to see his grandson grow up.”
Rev.Lusk, 47, has had kidney trouble for 10 years and has been on dialysis four months.
“This is a blessing,” he said. “I think that scripture in John 15th is appropriate because it refers to the love of mankind for friendship.”
Ms. Mahoney said she has the support of her mother, Charlene Merrill; her stepfather, Jerry Merrill; and her father, Thomas Mahoney.
“I don't have any fear about what I am doing because I have been cleared by the doctors and passed all the necessary tests. My only fear is that if a member of my family should need a kidney later, I couldn't help,” she said.
Her father, Mr. Mahoney, is not as confident as she is.
“I am scared, but I know she firmly believes in what she is doing,” Mr. Mahoney said. “She is unbelievable. ... This is an example of the faith she has been taught.”
Ms. Mahoney was a member of the Sunday school that Rev. Lusk and his wife, Patty, taught when she was 6 years old. He said he and his wife started a children's ministry at the church 14 years ago.
He said other young people offered to donate a kidney but none passed the tests. He said all members of his family also offered, as did members of the church.
Ms. Mahoney, who plans to attend the Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology in Dayton, said she was confident she is doing the right thing.
“This is part of the Christian faith I have been taught,” she said.
She went on a Christian camping trip with friends near Rising Sun over the weekend. “The hospital people just told me to be careful not to damage the kidney.”
Drs. James Whiting and Rino Munda will perform the operation.
“Performing live transplants has become sort of the norm,” Dr. Munda said. “Of the 68 kidney transplants performed (locally) last year, 35 were from live donors.”
After the operation, Ms. Mahoney will not have to alter her lifestyle except to report frequently to her doctors and be particularly concerned about infection, Dr. Munda said. “It is not difficult to live with one kidney. This is a very safe operation because she has been through all the tests.”
Dr. Whiting added, “Live donors do not face any risk of developing kidney diseases because of having one kidney anymore than anyone else.”
He said the procedure involved testing Ms. Mahoney psychologically, biologically, socially andphysically.
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