Meghan Kingsley '07 appeared on the May 7 episode of "ESPN Sports Saturday" in a segment about Francisco "Paco" Rodriguez, a professional boxer who died after an October 2009 title bout. Rodriguez's family decided to donate his organs, and Kingsley was one of four women whose lives were saved by the transplants. Kingsley and the organ recipients met the Rodriguez family for the first time as part of the show.
Click here to read the companion story and view the full segment.
At age 13, Kingsley, an outstanding youth swimmer with dreams of competing in the Olympics, began struggling in her sport and having issues with her balance and hearing. Three years later, doctors discovered dozens of nonmalignant tumors on her brain and spine. They told her she had neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF 2), a crippling disease that as yet has no cure. She had two surgeries to remove the tumors and for nine years managed the disease.
In October 2009, Kingsley agreed to undergo an experimental treatment to mitigate the symptoms of NF 2, but the drugs severely damaged her liver. She needed a transplant to survive. One month later, she received Rodriguez’s liver. Though she’s encountered several complications since the transplant, the donation saved her life.
“When I’m really ill, I just think, ‘Come on, Paco, work with me here,'” Kingsley told ESPN reporter Jeremy Schaap in an interview. “I think that we’re partners, doing this thing together. And I’ll kind of rub my liver, and I’ll say, ‘Come on, Paco … let’s get through this. I want to get out and live my life.'”
Kingsley’s mother, Sharon, who also appears in the segment, reports that Meghan is entering an intense physical therapy program to help strengthen her leg muscles, which have been significantly affected by the tumors. Meghan will be on hand on Sunday, June 12, to cheer Sharon and other friends and family in the Survivor Harbor 7 Walk/Run in Baltimore, Md. Sharon Kingsley will be participating with Team NF in Meghan’s honor and raise money to support of all who suffer from neurofibromatosis. Please click here if you’d like to contribute to Team NF in Meghan Kingsley’s honor.