Photo By Brian Dietrick | SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio (Oct. 5, 2020) - Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class...... read more read more
SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio (Oct. 5, 2020) – When Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 1st Class Dustin Ueltschy found out that he could save his mother’s life, he knew there was no other option other than to help.
Ueltschy, a talent scout for Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Ohio River Valley in Mentor, Ohio, donated one of his kidneys in a paired donation exchange program at the Cleveland Clinic. During the exchange, Ueltschy’s kidney went to a patient that was a suitable match and his mother received a kidney that was a match for her.
“My mother asked if we knew anyone that would be willing to donate,” said Ueltschy. “My wife and I discussed it and it there just was not an option to not go through with it and help. I knew if I was able to help, then I had to.”
Ueltschy started the donor screening process in November 2019 at the Cleveland Clinic. It was determined that he was not a match for his mother, but he learned of the paired donor exchange program where he could still donate and she would still be able to receive one.
Upon successful completion of screening at the Cleveland Clinic, he then had to run his request through his local chain of command and then ultimately big Navy had to sign off on it after a screening at the hospital in Great Lakes.
He kept the screening from his mom at first because he was unsure if the Navy was going to let him participate. Once he was fully cleared by the Navy doctor in Great Lakes, he surprised his mom but showing her the approved request revealing that he was allowed to help save her life.
“It was a very emotional moment for us once I showed my mom that letter,” said Ueltschy. “She was so excited and it was like she had a new lease on life.”
He was approved by the Navy to donate in March 2020, just as COVID-19 cases were ramping up in the U.S. After a few cancellations and minor setbacks due to the ongoing pandemic, Ueltschy and his mother had a successful surgery in late September. His mother received her new kidney first and the next day, Ueltschy donated his kidney.
Cmdr. Robert Moran, NTAG commanding officer, visited with Ueltschy and his mother and presented him the Warrior of the Month award for September 2020.
“It’s important for me to recognize people like your son because his behavior is what we want to epitomize in the military and actions like that are contagious,” said Moran. “I truly value when people do things that are above and beyond themselves and it’s nice to see when they think of other people instead of themselves.”
After four to six weeks of recovery time, Ueltschy will be back on the grind doing what he does best, finding the highest quality men and women to serve in the United States Navy.
“Knowing that I can relieve her of having to go through daily dialysis, which is really inhibiting on what she can do in life, is an amazing feeling,” said Ueltschy. “Not only did I help my mother, but I was able to help someone else by giving them my kidney. It’s really just a great feeling!”
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, NTAG Ohio River Valley’s mission is to man the Navy fleet with the highest quality Sailors and maintain the Navy’s unchallenged worldwide maritime superiority and ability to win wars, deter aggression and maintain freedom of the seas. NTAG Ohio River Valley operates 56 Talent Acquisition Stations and four Navy Officer Recruiting stations throughout Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.
For more news from NTAG Ohio River Valley, visit us on the web, http://www.cnrc.navy.mil/pages-nrd/ohio/default.html; and on our Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/NTAGOhioRiverValley.
| Date Taken: | 10.05.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2020 14:05 |
| Story ID: | 380248 |
| Location: | SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 641 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Ohio Sailor Gives Mother the Gift of Life, by Brian Dietrick, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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