A Bradford man who has helped many people through the years –
and who needed help of his own in late 2005 – is once again helping
people, thanks to a dual kidney and pancreas transplant.

Sam Scott, 51, of 41 Burnside Ave., has played in numerous
bands, raising thousands of dollars in many benefits over the years
for a number of organizations and people in need. He has also
coached junior bowling, Little League baseball, handicapped
children’s bowling and bowling for CARE for Children.

After diabetes ruined both his pancreas and kidney, it was
Scott’s turn to ask for help with the dual transplant in November
2005. In the end, it took a Christmas miracle to help him out.

Since Scott’s wife, Laura, was planning on working Christmas
morning of 2005, the Scotts had opened their Christmas gifts on
Dec. 23. Their 4-year-old daughter had just finished opening all
her presents when they received a call from the University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center Montefiore hospital in Pittsburgh, saying
they needed to come to Pittsburgh since a possible donor for Scott
was found.

After some tissue and blood tests were performed at UPMC, the
25-year-old female donor who was killed in a motor-vehicle accident
was found to be a perfect match for Scott.

“About every day I thank the girl that gave me these” organs,
Scott said Friday. “Because of her, there’s a lot of stuff I don’t
do. I was never much of a drinker, and I didn’t smoke. I’ve got a
little closer to religion. That stuff I stick to pretty
closely.”

Scott’s family considered the transplant the best gift they
could have gotten, and Scott said the day he received his dual
transplant, Dec. 23, has become almost like a new birthday for him
with his family celebrating Christmas on that day this year.

“We’ll probably do that for the next I-don’t-know-how-many
years,” Scott said. “It’s just a very, very special day in our
hearts. They had a cake for me and everything. I have gotten quite
the miracle.

“After I had my transplant, everything in my body went
completely back to normal,” Scott said. “(The doctors) were amazed
that I was doing so well. I was in the hospital for five days and
stayed 21 days. I never used the pain medicine they gave me. I
really wasn’t in any pain.”

Scott said the transplant has helped him with eating, but he’s
still having a little bit of stamina problems due to the fact he
was laid up for almost a month. He said his doctor will have him
start doing some exercise soon. In the meantime, he is riding in a
scooter until he gets his stamina back.

“The thing that I realize now is I’m not forcing myself to get
around,” Scott said. “I used to force myself to get out of bed in
the morning and force myself to do things. Now, I just get up and
do it. I just feel like I’ve been given a new life.”

Now Scott is readjusting to a normal life, putting back on the
20 to 30 pounds he lost just after the transplant.

“I was a diabetic for 35 years, and I think I lost touch on what
it was like not to be a diabetic,” Scott said. “I was 15 years old
when I became a diabetic. Now, I’m drinking Coke once again. I’m
allowed to eat what I want. I sat over in the corner to eat a piece
of cake and kind of hovered over it because I didn’t want anyone to
see me eating it. My wife came over and said I was allowed to have
that now.”

Scott said he had a lot of help from his friends with his
diabetic problems, the transplant and all sorts of things.

“You wouldn’t believe the people who have helped me and are
still helping me,” Scott said. “My family and close friends are
just truly amazing. One thing is I used to be a very avid bowler,
and they held a jamboree benefit-type thing for me (at the bowling
alley). They cared for me before, (but) it seems that they cared a
whole lot more.”

He said he just thanks people “over and over again.”

“All my friends are the reason I’m better,” he added.

Scott said a friend of his, a fellow musician that he has known
for 50 years, was diagnosed with cancer on Dec. 21, 2006, and was
given 6 to 8 months to live. Scott said he will once again play a
benefit to help his friend.

“Dave Covert, one of the best entertainers around this area,
(we) shared the same playpen together,” Scott said. “He’s going to
die on me unless he can get some help.

“Maybe he can get himself a miracle,” he said, adding this would
be one of his final jamboree/benefits.

“It’s something real special for me. I’ve always been used to
doing for everybody. I guess that’s why I got so many friends.”