HAROLD
L. & GLUCKMAN
2203 PECOS
MISSION, TX 78572
Tel: (956) 519-1778
Fax: (956) 519-2559
e-mail: hgluckman@rgv.rr.com
September
2, 2002
To Chris
Klug
Bronze Medalist, Winter Olympic Games, 2002
Recipient of a liver transplant.
Dear
Chris,
My son
Malcolm suffered form PSC and obtained a liver transplant on December
15th 2001 at Herman Memorial Hospital in Houston, Texas. Some time prior
to his transplant, we became aware of your story, which seemed to mirror
Malcolm's, even though Malcolm was somewhat older than you. He turned
37 on the 1st of January this year. Prior to reading your story, I believed
Malcolm would never be able to lead a normal life after the transplant,
but after reading about your achievements I gained renewed expectations
and was looking forward to Malcolm being healthy and active the way
you are, especially since Malcolm himself had always been a "sports
nut". He played soccer and golf, he swam competitively when he
was younger and subscribed to many cable sports channels. In fact, he
purchased a giant TV late last year in order to enjoy viewing sports
more fully. He attended two world soccer cups, he attended the Olympic
Games and ran with the bulls in Pamplona in Spain.
Unfortunately,
Malcolm died on June 29th this year. For the first 5 or 6 weeks after
his transplant he felt great with a lot of energy. Late in January,
he contacted a virus and never recovered. The doctors tried everything
to overcome the virus, but in the end, his intestines were completely
destroyed and he passed away after a long, hard and brave fight surrounded
by 10 of his family and friends. I invite you to read about that last
light of Malcolm's life in the eulogy given by his younger sister, Lynn
on his web site www.malcolmgluckman.com started by his close friends.
We lost a wonderful, kind and brave person loved by many.
The reason
for this message to you is to tell you that you were a great inspiration
to Malcolm and all his family. We followed your progress through the
Olympics and will continue to visit your web site in the future. We
watched the TV interview with your donoršs family and realized how proud
they were to feel that they were a part of your life and that their
loss had been transformed into something so wonderful.
May you
have many healthy and happy years ahead of you.
Harold
L. Gluckman