By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11
Bob Wang (left) and Paul Scherer (right).
In 2003, Donate Life America and its partnering organizations dubbed April, National Donate Life Month. The goal being to spread awareness about donations, encourage Americans to register as eye, organ, and tissue donors, and to honor those who have saved the lives of others through donation. Phi Kappa Tau will be honoring National Donate Life Month by sharing the story of three brothers, whose lives interconnected and resulted in the most precious gift an individual and their family can receive. This is the story of Bob Wang, Georgia Tech ’97, and the two brothers who stepped up when he needed help the most; each donating a kidney to Wang at different points in his life, giving him more time to be with his family and a second chance at a healthy future.
Wang’s journey began in 2006, when health complications forced him to receive a liver transplant. The strain of this procedure and the medications needed to recover were detrimental to his kidneys. As the condition worsened over the next five years, Wang was forced to consult with a doctor in 2011. Based on the results of testing, this doctor recommended that Wang start dialysis. For Wang, this meant five days of treatment per week, that took roughly five hours per session, and once the dialysis began there was no option of discontinuing. Understandably, Wang wanted to delay this necessary, but burdensome treatment as long as possible. As the health of his kidneys continued to deteriorate, Wang was forced to begin dialysis in the middle of 2012, and continued the treatment until December 10th, 2013, when he received his first kidney transplant. Lifelong friend and fellow alumnus of the Alpha Rho chapter, Paul Scherer, Geogia Tech ’96, made a sacrifice that many would shy away from. Agreeing to take part in a three-way donation, in which, Scherer’s kidney went to a patient in Minneapolis, a donor in Minneapolis gave a kidney to a patient in Charlotte, and finally a donor in Charlotte donated their kidney to Wang in Atlanta. This selfless act by Scherer gave Wang the gift of seven years with more comfort and greatly reduced need for treatment. As these procedures go, the donations are often more of a Band-Aid, with there being no true cure for Wang’s condition. In mid-2020, Wang once again began dialysis. Luckily for him, the treatment was reduced to four days a week and he was able to do it at home in the family’s sunroom. Being able to complete his treatment at home allowed Wang to spend more time with his family, often playing video games with his son throughout the duration. As he did the first time, Wang sent out a letter to friends, family, and fellow alumni of Phi Tau describing his condition and need for another donation. Once more, a brother of the Alpha Rho chapter stepped up to help Wang in his time of need. Chris Heffernan, Georgia Tech ’94, was a senior when Wang was a freshman, and the two were not particularly close friends while attending Georgia Tech. Despite this, Heffernan did not shy away from the opportunity to help a brother in need. Wang described speaking with him and how some of Heffernan’s closest friends that he was crazy, but Wang also stated that this is a testament to Heffernan character and the man that he is. In the aftermath of the surgery, both men are recovering well, and Wang is gifted more time and comfort with the ones he loves most.
Bob Wang and his family (2022).
“We are brothers now and ever.” Lyrics from a song we’ve all learned and undoubtedly sang at least once. They could remain just that, lyrics from a song that describe a lifelong bond between members of a fraternal organization. But for many within our organization, it becomes far more than that. Now and ever these men will go to any lengths to help a fellow brother, a fellow person in need. Men like Paul Scherer and Chris Heffernan have a compassion for others that knows no depths, from which we can all learn. Their generosity and selflessness gave Bob Wang more time with his wife of eleven years, Carrie, and their two children, Charlotte who is six, and Griffin whose is eight. As we move forward throughout the month of April, treat it as a time to reflect on how you could help others in need.
To learn more about National Donate Life Month, and to see how you can do your part, follow the link here.