Yet, four kidney transplants later, the Middleton, Wisconsin, woman is thriving and has found a purpose for her life: advancing kidney disease innovation.
This December, Mary will celebrate the 25th anniversary of her fourth kidney transplant. “I’m going to call it the ‘fourth and done,’” she said. “I’ve had a beautiful quality of life, even after going through multiple transplants.”
Mary’s first kidney transplant was when she was 17 and her brother Doug donated a kidney to her. (He still has no regrets, she says.) Her next three kidneys—in 1984, 1988 and 1999—were all from deceased donors. By the time she received her fourth transplant, there had been advancements in the field that contributed to her success. Still, she acknowledges that more innovation is still needed.
Up until 2012, Mary had multiple roles in transplant procurement, clinical research and education at UW Health. In recent years, she has been expanding her efforts on the state and national level to help as many organ transplant patients and those living with kidney disease, as she can. She is the chair of the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF) Patient Advocacy Committee, a chair of the NKF’s National Policy Committee, a patient editor for the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, and a member of multiple patient advisory councils. She even wrote a children’s book, “Maria Never Gives Up,” based on her experiences with kidney transplant. The book is available in the gift shops at American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison and many other children’s hospitals across the nation.
“I’ve really found my passion for using my professional background and my personal experience to change the landscape for the next generation,” she said.
And she has experienced relatively good health since her fourth transplant. While she’s had what she calls “bumps in the road,” She credits her good health to the team at UW Health.
Married to Jim Baliker for 26 years, Mary says she relies on her family, friends and dogs for support as she continues her journey. “I enjoy reading, listening to music, gardening, hiking and Pilates,” she said. “I honor my donors by trying to live a healthy lifestyle.”
One of the ways she has been able to help is by donating to organ donation programs, including the UW Health Transplant Center. In fact, the Balikers’ name is on one of the transplant clinic rooms at the center’s new facility.
I don’t really see that my life is limited at all by the challenges I’ve faced. I’m truly lucky. I hope that others will consider organ donation, as it has made it possible for me to lead an extremely fulfilled life.”