One of MTMC's own bring CFC close to home.

For weeks, the Combined Federal Campaign catalog appeared on desks and work-stations all over MTMC.

This year, there was one unique difference.

On the cover is one of MTMC Headquarters' most familiar faces: Curtis Moore, Traffic Management Specialist, of the Distribution Analysis Center.

Many wondered how Moore became one of a dozen individuals representing CFC's nationwide campaign.

"I was surprised, too," said Moore. "I knew I'd been nominated, but I didn't know I was selected until I saw the CFC cover."

Moore's co-workers were also impressed--they even asked for his autograph.

"I thought they were joking; I've known most of them for years," said Moore.

Soft-spoken, yet possessing a highly professional demeanor, Moore shakes his head as he recalls being caught off guard. Even so, the experience was positive. unlike his discovery of the illness that changed his life.

Everything Changed

Moore first became sick in 1983, when he was a U.S. Army first lieutenant stationed in Nordenham, Germany. As the Assistant Operations Officer. who supervised twenty civilians and military, including stevedores and longshoremen, Moore was accustomed to working long hours at the Bremerhaven port.

Moore began to notice some seemingly minor health problems, and visited the Army doctor. The doctor ran tests but found no abnormalities. Moore returned to his normal life, chalking up his physical complaints to stress or not enough rest.

One evening, while working on a merchant marine vessel, Moore began to cough violently. His supervisor, Capt. Kent Williams, Operations Officer, who was also working that night, knew something was terribly wrong when Moore started spitting up blood.

Williams insisted that Moore take the next ferry to the mainland and get some help. Moore refused to go, believing he would be fine, but Williams would not back down.

Finally persuaded, Moore reluctantly rushed to make the last ferry, still unaware of the seriousness of his condition.

After examining him, the doctor told Moore that his kidneys had completely tailed. Had he not come into the hospital that night, he would have lost his life.

"Today Ken is my best friend--he literally saved my life," said Moore.

Prior to his illness, Moore was a healthy bachelor, who carefully watched his diet and ran three to four miles a week.

After he was diagnosed with kidney failure, however, he was hospitalized for seven months.

It was obvious that Moore needed another kidney. His first transplant was unsuccessful, however, and the kidney only lasted a short time.

Moore received his second transplant in 1984, but again, his body rejected the unfamiliar organ. This meant another transplant.

In the interim, he endured life-sustaining kidney dialysis three to four times a week, not knowing how long he would have to wait for another chance at a normal life.

Moore notes that many people are not aware of the importance of becoming designated organ donors.

"Some transplant patients wait two years or more for organs," said Moore. "One of my church members died waiting for a lung and liver transplant. You have no idea how long it will take--or even if you'll get an organ."

Waiting can be a deadly game. At any given time, more than 68,000 patients are waiting for an organ transplant in the United States--and 2,000 new patients are added to the list each month.

"Every day of the year, as many as 14 people die waiting for a vital organ transplant," said Moore.

A Successful Transplant

At last, on Valentine's Day, 1989--six years after he was diagnosed--Moore received his current transplant.

Moore's kidney has worked well until recently. He now takes 22 or more pills every day to maintain his health. Although he currently battles hypertension and other problems related to the transplant, he is optimistic.

"I like having a positive attitude. I just believe everything is going to be all right."

CFC Was There

Imuran was the most widely accepted medication for kidney transplant patients in 1983, but Moore decided to try Cyclosporine. Many hoped this experimental treatment would increase the body's chances of accepting transplanted organs. Federal donations made to CFC organizations made it possible for Moore to receive Cyclosporine.

Today, Cyclosporine is a nationally recognized treatment and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

"CFC made it possible. I was one of the first people to take the medicine, and now it's available to thousands of patients," says Moore.

Making a Difference

As an Army Management Staff College graduate and former AMSC Alumni Association president, Moore knows the importance of giving back. He proudly travels the Washington, D.C., area, encouraging federal workers to contribute to CFC and sign up to be designated organ donors.

"You never know what will happen in the future," said Moore, "You never know who will one day need help through CFC contributions."

CFC is an important way one man is making a difference. Moore has made a number of speeches about the merits of CFC fundraising, including at the U.S. Court of Appeals, the U.S. Chemical Board, and the Washington Transplant Consortium.

Today, Moore, his wife Judy, and their two children, Alex and Camille, take each day as it comes.

"Organ donation is the highest ultimate charitable gift one person can make," concluded Moore.

"Without someone's gift, I wouldn't be here today."

Leesha Saunders Galery
MTMC Command Affairs