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Gift of Life Through Organ Donation Celebrated At Knoebels

RALPHO TOWNSHIP — You can never have a bad day at Knoebels Amusement Resort–at least that’s what Greg Conway says. “I’m going to t...
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RALPHO TOWNSHIP -- You can never have a bad day at Knoebels Amusement Resort--at least that's what Greg Conway says.

"I'm going to the bumper cars and doing some destruction," said Greg Conway.

A few years ago, Greg would not have been able to get on any of the rides here near Elysburg. He was very sick. That is until he found a donor.

"I got a new kidney. That's what happened, after 11 years of dialysis almost," said Conway.

Every year, nearly 50 people just like Greg in need of a kidney transplant get help from Geisinger Health Systems Transplant Program.

About 500 people including doctors, patients, and family showed up to the hospital's annual transplant picnic.

“Today is an awesome day,” said Julia Kutcher.

Julia Kutcher from Riverside has had two kidney transplants and a liver transplant.

"In a way, some people would say why me because I had to go through three. There's always a reason for everything," said Julia Kutcher

Many people will never meet their donor. Kutcher's first donor was her dad.

"I have offered to give her my other one back when it was a little bit better shape but they wouldn't take it," said Mark Kutcher.

After her third transplant, there were a lot of things that Julia couldn't do, so now that she is feeling better, of course she has to go on her favorite ride, Impulse.

"The Impulse really reminds me of life in how there are ups and downs in every situation,” said Kutcher.

"Oh it makes me very happy to see how sick she was in the beginning to how she is doing now it's just great," said Kutcher

Great for Julia and for Geisinger near Danville, which plans on holding the picnic again next year.

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