Article - March 30, 2008 - Murfreesboro Post

Kidney Walk to honor volunteer Greg Francis

By Michelle Willard

The volunteer spirit of retired Murfreesboro Police Officer Greg Francis touched many people who also struggled with end-stage renal disease, his widow said.

Greg is the posthumous 2008 National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee Kidney Walk honoree. The Kidney Walk takes place on Saturday, May 10 at Barfield Crescent Park.

“Over 4,000 people in Tennessee are living with kidney transplants,” Kidney Walk Co-chair Sandi Stout said. “The Kidney Walk will draw attention to the importance of early detection for those at risk while raising funds for kidney patients and their families.”

Greg was one of more than 26 million Americans who will have kidney disease over their lifetime. More than 6,100 Tennesseans experience kidney disease.

“We are thrilled and honored,” said Leigh Francis, Greg’s widow. “It’s a great way to continue his legacy to never give up. You always keep fighting and have a smile on your face while you do it.

“Greg was a remarkable human being and it’s a great way to honor him,” she added.

Greg passed away on Oct. 30, 2007 after a 26-year battle with renal disease. He is also survived by their two children Ellen, 8, and Stephen, 4.

Greg had no other health problems, just a kidney obstruction he had during childhood “caught up with him,” Leigh said.

Even though he felt that dialysis was the right treatment for him, he encouraged everyone he knew to become an organ donor.

Greg received a kidney transplant in the mid-1980s, Leigh said. But after a year and a half to two years his body rejected the kidney. At that point he and his doctor decided dialysis was the right treatment for his condition.

Greg spent 26 years on dialysis. During that time, he would counsel and aid others going though the process. Leigh said she still gets letters of thanks from those Greg helped.

“He would tell people to take care of themselves because he didn’t want to have someone on a kidney machine next to him,” Leigh said.

Full story