(Kansas City, Mo.) Monday, March 29, 2010  –  Cincinnati resident Tim Jones didn’t set out to inspire a special city proclamation when he donated a kidney. He only wanted to help a fellow co-worker’s father, one of 600,000 Americans affected by polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

 

But on Wednesday, March 31, Jones will be honored by the city of Cincinnati and the PKD Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicating to treating PKD, with the declaration and proclamation of March 31, 20101, as Kidney Awareness Day in Cincinnati. The ceremony will take place at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Duke Energy Convention Center's main entrance (5th Street and Elm Street). 

 

“On behalf of the PKD Foundation, we would like to honor Tim Jones for his decision to help the family of his friend and colleague,” said Deborah Watson, Cincinnati-Dayton Chapter Coordinator for the PKD Foundation.  “In coordination with making March 31st Kidney Awareness Day in Cincinnati, we thank Mr. Jones and all the other courageous donors in Cincinnati.”

 

Tim Jones’ story is a special one that went well beyond the normal working relationship colleagues usually share. Jones' friend and supervisor Matt Deaton had a special need in his family in 2009. 

 

Matt's father, Ken Deaton, was diagnosed with PKD nearly 15 years ago. PKD is one of the most common, life threatening genetic diseases, causing multiple cysts to grow on both kidneys, eventually causing them to fail. In January 2007, doctors informed Ken that his condition was deteriorating and that he would need a kidney transplant.  The Deaton family immediately began the search process for a donor without much luck. 

 

In June 2008, Jones came to Matt one day with an offer to get tested for compatibility.  Over the course of the next 14 months, Jones made several trips to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., to undergo check-ups, testing and planning for the possibility of a kidney donation to the elder Deaton. 

 

To the relief of the Deaton family, Jones was found to be a match and the transplant took place on October 21, 2009. 

  

“To do what Tim was able to do for the Deaton family is nothing short of admirable,” said Ric Booth, Global Spectrum’s General Manager. “It's hard to put into words what that gift would mean to any family.”

 

As Global Spectrum's management team prepared for Jones' return to work, the story grew from one between friends and colleagues to one that touched downtown community.  Shawn Jenkins, the president and owner of Segway of Ohio, became so impressed with the Jones' giving spirit that he offered to donate a Segway for Jones to use as he eased his way back to work.

  

Today, both Tim Jones and Ken Deaton are both back to full health.  The Deaton family reports that Ken is “back to his old self and we can't even tell he was ever sick.” Jones continues to be a leader as Global Spectrum's operations team transitions the Duke Energy Convention Center from one event to the next.

 

“Knowing that we have such a generous spirit among the citizens of Cincinnati should make us all proud,” stated Vice Mayor Qualls. “The City is proud to recognize March 31 as Kidney Awareness Day in recognition of the gift Tim Jones gave to Ken Deaton.”

 

Established in 1982, the PKD Foundation is committed to finding treatments and a cure for PKD through research, education, advocacy, support and awareness. To learn more, visit www.pkdcure.org or call 1-800-PKD-CURE.

 

Global Spectrum (www.globalspectrum.com) is the fastest growing firm in the public assembly facility management field with more than 80 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The Philadelphia-based company is part of one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment companies, Comcast-Spectacor, which also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association, the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League, Flyers Skate Zone, a series of community ice skating rinks, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, a regional sports programming network, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company and 3601 Creative Group, a full-service in-house advertising agency.