Dedra Croll

Photos Courtesy of Dedra Croll

Self-Diagnosis

In December 1992, at 33, life was good. Dedra and Bill had a young son, Evan. She was healthy, strong, running and working as an ultrasound technician. “One day we were testing the equipment as the probe had fallen to the ground. I didn’t believe it was faulty and to prove it, starting scanning myself. As I looked on the screen, I could see all these lesions on my liver.”

A biopsy was performed and Dedra was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer. A multitude of tests followed to ensure that it had not left her liver. Dedra was recommended for a liver transplant and was put on the organ donor list. “My son wasn’t even two years old and I was given two years to live. I kept saying, please let me get my son to kindergarten.”

Another Chance

While she waited for the call from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, one of the top transplant hospitals in the country, Dedra kept running. “I thought the Pittsburgh Marathon is in May, I’ll train for that.” So in February 1993 when Dedra was told there was a match, she was very healthy, unlike many transplant recipients.

“It’s the strangest call you’re ever going to get. I was making chocolate milk for my son. By the time the phone call had finished Evan had spilled the milk and had chocolate all around his face.”

Dedra was put on a life flight to Pittsburgh and met her surgeon Dr Jain. “He was soft spoken and asked if I had any questions. I thought it’s too late now. I was laying there with Bill not knowing if I’d make it through the operation.”

Dedra received her liver from a 44-year-old man. Every year in the US there are around 100,000 on the organ donor list and only 23,000 get a transplant.

“Not a day goes by that I haven’t thanked my donor family. It feels very sacred to have his liver. I don’t know anything about my donor, whether he ran or not. I’ve sent letters to the family to say thanks but I’ve never heard back.”

Like to comment on the Dedra Croll story? Post it here.

Tabloid Tales

News spread of Dedra’s transplant. “This gentleman called from the National Enquirer. Bill said, 'Come on this is a joke'. The guy kept saying, 'No I’m from the National Enquirer, can I please talk to your wife'. They ran the headline, 'Woman Detects Own Cancer'. I now tell people you gotta believe everything in the National Enquirer. Some of it is true!”

Back to Running

Everyone marveled at the speed of Dedra’s recovery. Her physical fitness helped her heal and unlike many transplant patients she didn’t have a puffy face.

Still Dedra didn’t run for 6 months. “It took awhile until I felt really good and psychologically ready. I didn’t want anything to go wrong.

Dedra Croll (L) and Terry Richey (R)

Top of Page

Marathon Comeback

Four years after her transplant, Dedra returned to Pittsburgh to run the 1997 Pittsburgh Marathon with her husband, Bill. “It was the happiest day of my life. My surgeon and nurses were there to cheer me on as I ran past the hospital. I lifted up my singlet to show my scar. It was my way of saying, here’s my second chance, I’m 100%, I’m healthy, and it worked!”

Dedra ran 3:44 and was the first US woman to run a marathon after a liver transplant.

Dedra Croll, Martha's Vineyard 2008.

Dedra hasn’t stopped running. “My husband says when I get grumpy, 'You need to go for a run'. Since her transplant she has run eight marathons, her lifetime total is now 18. She’s raced numerous half marathons, 10k’s, 5k’s, track races, sprint triathlons and ironman events. She is also an avid hiker and has hiked many of the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks.

She has competed in the US Transplant Games (Atlanta & Utah) winning gold in the 1500m, 3000m and 5k. Dedra holds the US 5K Transplant Records for W30-39 (21.32) and W40-49 (21:42). “I enjoy the camaraderie of the Transplant Games but appreciate competing against all athletes. I don’t want to just beat a heart transplant recipient.”

Dedra recently celebrated her 50 birthday. Her dear friend, Coreen Steinbach, threw a surprise party with all her women running friends. “It’s exciting, entering a new age group. I see people at work with who have no goals and nothing to look forward to. Not me, I want to get better.

I’d like to run Mt. Washington this June. It’s 7.6 miles up one hill of 5,000 feet. Bill and I are entering the lottery so we’ll see if we get to run. I’m also planning another half ironman in a few months.

Raising Awareness

Dedra gives regular talks at local schools and health fairs about organ and tissue donation. “I’m not trying to get people to sign a donor card. It’s about bringing awareness. Organ donation is such a personal decision. But if people decide to donate they need to let their family know of their decision, it makes it easier.

I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for my donor and his family. Transplants work, they give people like me a second chance at life.”

Giving Back

Not one to sit at home and watch TV, Dedra volunteers at hospice, on her day off.

“I love it. It’s my way of giving back to the community.

I listen, talk and provide respite for caregivers. I visit the patients so they’re comfortable in their own home.

The caregiver can have some time away, do errands or go for a run.

Photo Courtesy of Coreen Steinbach

A Different Perspective

After such a life altering event Dedra views things differently. “We moved into a smaller house and like to keep it simple. I’ve got a good husband, a good kid, good friends, a black lab and a Jack Russell, what else do you need? The bills get paid. You don’t need a lot. I look around and count my blessings.”

Read your comments on Dedra Croll's story.

Like to comment on the Dedra Croll story? Post it here.

If you would like to learn more about organ and tissue donation in the US, click here.

Top of Page

Post Your Comment

Do you have a comment on this story? Share it!

Your Comments

Click below to see other comments...

New! Comments