We have all heard the phrase, “You don’t know until you know.” Sometimes, we choose to remain unaware because gaining knowledge requires effort. Often, we avoid issues that don’t seem to impact our lives or those we love—until they do.
Hugh Macdonald lives just around the corner with his wife, Sabrina. It’s rare to see them without their infectious smiles. Over the past few years, I learned that Hugh graduated from West Point and served our country honorably before transitioning to a successful civilian career in the mid-1970s.
Hugh’s first marriage produced three children, all of whom thrive today. One of his children is the youngest head football coach in the nation, currently leading the Seattle Seahawks. His daughter is a stunt actress and director in California, while her sister is a sales executive for an AI company.
Hugh and Sabrina married 18 years ago. They frequently travel to football games, visit the West Coast, and spend time with their grandchildren whenever possible. In retirement, Hugh enjoys playing golf, trekking overseas with Sabrina, and savoring the rewards of their hard work and dedication.
Recently, Hugh and Sabrina experienced a sudden and unexpected health crisis. Life as they knew it changed in a flash.
Hugh, who is fit, athletic, disciplined, and happy, developed hypertension a few years ago. Like many others, he monitored his condition with the help of doctors and prescribed medications. However, high blood pressure was silently damaging his kidneys. Renal failure quickly prevented him from enjoying golf or even managing daily activities without the help of dialysis.
Friends, family, and those who didn’t know now needed to learn. Hugh asked the question we all ask ourselves when facing a shocking, dire situation: “How could this happen?” Sabrina transformed into what Hugh calls “the Bad, Bull-headed wrestler,” who stepped into the ring and began to battle. She became the power behind the fighting soldier, the decorated veteran, and her always optimistic husband.
Hugh Macdonald was raised in Massachusetts by parents who instilled discipline, compassion, and positivity in their children. During my interview with Hugh and Sabrina, I noticed no hint of self-pity in either of them. Even the challenging experience of dialysis treatment has become routine. Hope, humor, and joy continue to radiate in their home just around the corner.
After years of writing stories about our veterans, I know they are our most exceptional and courageous Americans. Our nation has never done enough to repay them for their sacrifices to protect us. Veterans should always be our top priority—first to be served, first to be saved, and last to be forgotten.
Hugh needs a kidney, but none of his family members are suitable matches for a transplant. One of his lifelong friends, eager to help, offered to be tested as a potential donor. When Hugh hesitated to accept this offer, his frustrated friend exclaimed, “How dare you deny me the opportunity to help you?” Now, that’s a true friend!
The Veterans Administration provides care for over 600,000 veterans with kidney disease. Among them, 2,000 are waiting for a donor. The VA conducts approximately 160 transplants each year, meaning most veterans do not have the opportunity to receive life-saving transplants.
Kidney disease is 34% more prevalent in veterans than in the general population. Could this be due to toxins and chemical exposure during deployments? Factors such as obesity, diabetes, and insufficient healthcare can severely impact those who served us.
When Sharyn Kreitzer, a transplant coordinator, began noticing the disproportionate number of veterans with kidney disease, she founded DOVE, Donor Outreach for Veterans, in 2020. DOVE connects potential living donors with the veterans who need them.
Hugh’s life and many others could be saved by someone they have never met simply because that person chose to learn something they never knew. Donating a kidney involves comprehensive medical evaluations and examinations to ensure the procedure is safe and successful for both the donor and the recipient.
Hugh waits with a strong, cheerful spirit, facing each day with the same determination as a tackle coached by his son. His optimistic outlook inspires him to find humor even in the darkest moments.
Now, he sees life from a new perspective. He reflects on how he can help others enduring similar experiences by using the wisdom he gained from navigating life’s trials. And so, the soldier marches onward.
Hugh is currently dedicating his time to finishing and publishing a book he wrote before he became ill. The title, “How Winners Win and Losers Lose,” focuses on achieving business success. However, when we take the time to learn, give back, and support our veterans, everyone wins, and no one loses.
Learn what you don’t know. Become a donor, save another, be a true friend, and always value our soldiers.
For more information, contact DOVE: [email protected] of call 551-233-1611.
