I give because 
transplants save lives

Nagendra H. / Father, Cyclist, Transplant Recipient

After two days and more than 200 miles, Nagendra Honavalli triumphantly crossed the finish line of the 2018 Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride.

It was a moment that would have seemed impossible just three years earlier.

In 2015, Honavalli, an assistant vice president at a software company, began feeling unwell — he couldn’t drive his car or take more than a few steps. Given that he was a vegetarian who didn’t drink or smoke, he was shocked to receive a diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver that would require a transplant. “It was pretty traumatic,” he says.

Honavalli had successful surgery a few months later at UW Medical Center. During his time there, he appreciated how his medical team made sure he felt involved in decisions about his care. “Each doctor would talk with me and help me understand my options,” he says. “I was part of the dialogue.”

Six months later, Honavalli got back on his feet with support from Team Transplant, a volunteer-run program at UW Medical Center that trains transplant recipients for fitness events while championing organ-donation awareness. Before his surgery, Honavalli didn’t exercise regularly. But with the group’s help, he was able to complete several half marathons — and he gained the confidence to pursue cycling, which led him to train for the STP.

“Now I know that staying healthy will keep my mind happy and allow me to do more things in life.”

Team Transplant also enabled Honavalli to spend more time with his daughters, who joined him for walks and biked alongside him during the Seattle to Portland ride. “Our bond has strengthened,” he says.

With a renewed sense of health and optimism, Honavalli is now working to help other patients: In addition to volunteering as a mentor for transplant recipients, he gives to the Team Transplant Fund to ensure that others can bounce back from surgery.

“There are so many ways that UW Medicine helped me,” he says. “Before my surgery, I never appreciated the fact that my body needs to be well protected. Now I know that staying healthy will keep my mind happy and allow me to do more things in life.”