Henry Levi- Transplant 1994 Profession - Computer systems executive at the New York Times Henry Levi cherishes the small freedoms that most people take for granted--like spending time with his family or stopping for coffee on the way to work. "Things are better than ever," says Henry, a 44-year-old computer systems executive at the New York Times. "It's like a new lease on life." A little over two years ago, a new lease might have seemed doubtful. Like other diabetics whose kidneys had failed, Henry endured a grueling schedule of dialysis--three days a week, four hours a day. "It was impacting my job, my family life," he recalls. "Something had to change." Change came on June 15, 1994, when Henry had a cadaveric kidney/pancreas transplant at University Hospital of Brooklyn. The hospital was the site of the first successful combined kidney/pancreas transplant in New York State, and it remains the largest pancreas transplant center in the state. "I was very impressed by the success rates. I figured the benefits outweighed the risks." Today, Henry is reaping those benefits. Since the transplant he has been more active. He swims and travels, and lately, he has been putting in long hours at work helping implement new financial and computer systems. The work is as demanding as it is enjoyable. "It's something I never would have been able to do if not for the transplant. It was the only sensible choice to make."