Genie Kilpatrick, a double lung recipient, believed her tennis racket was motivational in her life. She received the call for her transplant in July 2017 and grabbed her racket inspired to play tennis again.
Tennis was integral to Genie’s life. She began playing competitively in high school, eventually, earning a scholarship at Stephen F. Austin University. After college, she competed in CATA and USTA tournaments, achieving USTA singles and doubles rankings in Texas.
Genie’s passion for tennis led her to become a high school coach for 28 years. Her accomplishments were recognized as 4A Coach of the Year in 2005 when her Clear Brook HS team went to State. Genie cherished introducing kids to tennis and seeing their growth.
In 2010, Genie began to have shortness of breath with exercise and was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension. After 5 years of treatment, her condition worsened and she needed continuous oxygen at 21 liters to walk a few feet. She was then diagnosed with pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis, an extremely rare lung disease. A double lung transplant was the only treatment option.
Genie received the call for double lung transplant on July 30, 2017. Her tennis racquet, a symbol of her hope, accompanied her to UT Southwestern in Dallas. Her 55-day hospital recovery was challenging, but she held her racquet on day ten. Within days, she walked the halls with it, dreaming of playing again.
Grateful for her donor’s gift of life, Genie vowed to make them proud by competing in tennis and raising awareness of organ donation. Her recovery was arduous, but she returned home to Austin with new lungs. An incredible support group encouraged her through her recovery and tennis journey.
Genie trained, hiked, and started running again and finally stepped back onto the tennis court. Her passion was reignited. In 2018, she won a gold medal for tennis and table tennis for Team Texas at the Transplant Games of America. The following year, she achieved another gold medal for Team USA at the World Transplant Games.
After her double-lung transplant, Genie became a passionate volunteer for Donate Life to raise awareness about organ donation. She believed that if someone faced her situation, they should receive the ultimate gift of life through organ donation.
Tennis and her donor saved her life. Despite her recovery, Genie lived life to the fullest, helping others, volunteering, playing sports, traveling, listening to music, starting book clubs, and cherishing relationships. She never took a day for granted and expressed gratitude daily for her precious gift of life.
