Five years ago, former Syracuse basketball radio announcer, Steve Hyder was diagnosed with kidney disease, changing his life and putting him in need of a transplant. In January, it was reported Hyder was in search of a donor, but now the broadcaster tells Syracuse.com a perfect match has been found.
Liz McMorrow, Hyder’s 35-year old second-cousin came up as a perfect match, with the procedure currently scheduled to take place on July 15th.
“Ironically enough, I’m her godfather,’’ Hyder told Mike Waters of Syracuse.com. “I’ll tell you what, as great as it is to get the kidney, the connection I’ve made with her has been so great. We talk every day. We text every day. Her kids are awesome. Her husband’s a great guy. It’s a tremendous gift.’’
Hyder called Syracuse men’s basketball for 10 years during the 80’s and 90’s. Hyder moved to his hometown of Newport after Syracuse chose not to renew his contract in 1996 and began serving as the play-by-play announcer for the Pawtucket Red Sox where he worked with the current radio voice of the Cincinnati Bengals Dan Hoard.
But in the last three years, sports have been pushed aside with Hyder’s life revolving around dialysis treatments. “It wears you out,’’ Hyder said of dialysis, which he receives three days a week for four hours at a time. “Afterwards, you’re utterly exhausted. You’re too tired to do anything. Grocery shop or anything. I’ve got to go home and take it easy.’’
If Hyder does receive the kidney from McMorrow on the planned date of July 15th, it means he has just 16 dialysis treatments remaining. Assuming all goes well with the procedure, Hyder should see immediate improvement. “I don’t know what it’s like to feel normal,” Hyder said. “It’s been so long. I can’t even believe it.’’
Hyder’s cousin, Liz McMorrow chose to become an organ donor after being involved in a serious car accident a few years ago, while she was seven-months pregnant.
“She had made a promise to herself if she could ever help someone she would do it,’’ Hyder said. “Lo and behold, she’s a perfect match.’’
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.