Name: Chef Oliver Hale (Chef O)
Age: 71
Home: Kentwood, Michigan
Transplant: Kidney, twice
Why did you need a transplant, and when did it happen?
I received my first kidney transplant in 1985 after high blood pressure damaged my kidneys. That transplanted kidney failed in 2007, and I went on dialysis until I received my second kidney transplant in 2012.
How are you doing now?
I’m doing totally awesome. I play pickleball. I’ll participate in the 2024 Transplant Games of America. I’m a retired gourmet chef and still doing five-course dinners as an in-home personal chef. I go to Toledo to attend my grandchildren’s dance recitals, soccer games and baseball games. I’ll be teaching a university cooking class in September. I’m doing very well. I’ll never stop talking about the importance of organ donation.
What are the three to five most important events or experiences you’ve been able to enjoy because two donors saved your life?
I was able to walk my daughter down the aisle and be there for both her and my son’s weddings.
I achieved a highlight on my bucket list: I was invited to be a guest chef at a five-star restaurant in Newcastle, England. Whew — it was fancy. It was an amazing experience.
I’ve been able to do 315 cable television cooking shows, winning nine awards for them. I was named Best Chef in Grand Rapids twice by a local magazine.
I keep busy in the community, doing cooking demonstrations, speaking about the importance of organ donation, volunteering at a food bank, and helping people who can’t help themselves.
I was awarded the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in July for lifelong commitment to volunteer services, from President Joe Biden.
If you could talk to your donors or your donors’ families today, what would you say to them?
It would be very emotional. I’d need a couple boxes of Kleenex®. I’d be weak in the knees. I’d ask about my donors — what were they like? What did they do? I’d tell them how grateful I am. I’d like to spend time with them, let them know all the things I’ve been able to do because of them.
My whole life was ending, then — boom — I got a transplant. What I’ve been blessed with is unbelievable. I have so much gratitude.
