- Guest Speaker: Susan Gross shared her family’s moving journey through organ donation.
- Scholarship Update: The club heard inspiring updates from recipient Veda Kiper Phelps.
- Club News: Members enjoyed Happy Dollars and prepped for the launch of Car with a Cause ticket sales at the beach this weekend.
Rotary Recap – May 22, 2026
The meeting began with Darcy leading the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Six-Way Test. Darcy expressed appreciation for everyone attending on a holiday weekend, noting the strong commitment and dedication of the club members.
Special guest in attendance was last year’s scholarship recipient, Veda Kiper Phelps , who later provided an update to the club.
Darcy reminded members that this weekend marks the first weekend at the beach selling tickets for the CWAC fundraising event.
Next week will be a true Club Assembly, covering several important topics including the POS system for the car sales at the beach, major donor planning for the upcoming year, and future service projects. The final two Students of the Month will also be recognized. Members were encouraged to attend.
Darcy shared information regarding an upcoming online event hosted by Mercy Ships on June 11 at 11:00 a.m. our time. For more information, reach out to Darcy or Jud.
Susan received two thank-you cards from recipients of the May Day Flower Event and passed them around for members to see.
Happy Dollars
Eric conducted the Happy Dollars collection.
- Eric shared excitement for Memorial Day weekend and mentioned his middle daughter is going on a family cruise, with her boyfriend’s family.
- Duncan attended a graduation party in Massachusetts last weekend and celebrated his grandson’s third birthday.
- Larry was pleasantly surprised to see Veda attending. He also shared information regarding Window Dressers projects this year in Portsmouth, Kittery, and York, noting additional volunteers will be needed for measuring this summer ahead of the December build.
- Susan shared that her son is visiting and noted it has been three years since his kidney transplant.
- Jud expressed appreciation for the beautiful spring trees.
- Marilyn shared that she has been spending a great deal of time with her new granddaughter and Miles, and recently returned from a trip to Venice.
- John shared springtime happiness and also encouraged members to participate with Window Dressers, noting there are ways for everyone to help, even those who are not particularly handy.
- Pauline reflected on her brother, who died in the war at age 19 and is buried in Paris.
- Jackie shared that she was simply happy to be here.
- Mike Estes recognized and thanked all veterans and those who have served our country.
- Mike Villars celebrated the beautiful weather and shared that his son is closing on the sale of his house.
- Darcy thanked Veda for returning to visit the club and informed Skip that his membership badge had finally been located in the computer bag!
Scholarship Update – Veda Kiper Phelps
Veda Kiper Phelps shared an update with the club regarding her first year at Connecticut College. She spoke fondly about her grandparents who live close by and she sees often, participation in the soccer team, and her role as a DJ at the college radio station. She also shared that she is applying to study abroad in France next year.
Guest Speaker – Susan Gross
Guest speaker and club member, Susan Gross delivered a deeply moving presentation about organ donation, transplantation, and her family’s personal journey.
Susan shared that preparing this presentation was more emotional and difficult than she anticipated because the story is not simply about her as a donor, but about her entire family.
She reflected on the year 1992, when she and her husband Bob had two young sons, Stephen and Scott. At just three years old, Stephen became critically ill with kidney failure. Susan described the fear and uncertainty of balancing time at the hospital while also caring for one-year-old Scott at home.
After several weeks in the hospital, doctors initially prepared the family for dialysis training. Remarkably, Stephen’s kidneys began functioning again, delaying the need for dialysis. Although he recovered and was able to live a relatively normal childhood and young adulthood, doctors warned that he might someday require a kidney transplant.
Susan said that from that moment forward, she always believed she would one day donate a kidney to her son if needed.
Nearly 30 years later, on July 3, Stephen—then 33 years old—became critically ill again and required dialysis. Susan described how all of the emotions from decades earlier immediately resurfaced for the entire family.
Three years ago, Susan donated one of her kidneys to Stephen.
She explained the extensive donor evaluation process, including the psychological screening, compatibility testing, and numerous medical evaluations designed to protect both donor and recipient. Susan admitted that while she initially became frustrated with the lengthy process, she later came to deeply appreciate the care and caution shown by the medical team.
Susan described the surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and shared that her greatest fear was waking up to learn Stephen had not received her kidney. Thankfully, the transplant was successful, and Stephen’s new kidney began functioning immediately.
She reflected on how the experience gave her a greater respect for her body and health. While she occasionally experiences exhaustion now that she lives with one kidney, she emphasized that the transplant gave Stephen an entirely new life.
Susan explained that doctors often tell donors they are “saving a life,” but she feels the experience is truly about allowing an entirely new life to begin.
She also shared her involvement in the Transplant Games, where she learned to swim competitively after the transplant and competed as part of Team New England. Susan described the transplant community as extraordinarily supportive, inspiring, and filled with gratitude.
Today, Susan mentors prospective donors, especially those struggling with anxiety and uncertainty about the donation process.
She emphasized several themes throughout her presentation:
- Organ donation is ultimately an act of love and service.
- Donors and recipients need strong support systems and community.
- Accepting help from others is healing for everyone involved.
- Timing and life’s challenges often unfold for important reasons.
- Every donor she has spoken with says they would make the same decision again.
Susan concluded by thanking the Rotary Club for the tremendous support her family received during the transplant process, especially through meals and acts of kindness.
Closing Remarks & Questions
- John remarked that Susan should be nominated as “Speaker of the Year—and the Decade.”
- Duncan thanked Susan for providing such a truly inspirational presentation.
- Susan concluded by sharing something her doctor recently told her: “I am nothing without my team,” adding that she feels exactly the same way.
York Rotary Club extends its heartfelt thanks to Susan for so openly and honestly sharing her family’s deeply personal journey. Her courage, vulnerability, compassion, and message of love, service, gratitude, and hope touched everyone in attendance. Susan’s story served as a powerful reminder of the impact one person—and one act of selfless generosity—can have on the lives of so many. We are incredibly grateful for her willingness to share such an inspiring experience with our club.
POEM SHARED BY SUSAN:
“Home Sweet Home Birth”, by Sheila Simms Watson
To experience the birth of a child
Is to participate in the drama of creation.
Having experienced it
We will never be the same.
No child, no universe,
No mountain, sea or poem
Was ever born without great labor.
Yet when that labor’s done
There exists a thing of beauty
With life all its own.
To experience the birth of a child
Is to witness the promise of tomorrow
Our hopes and dreams are renewed
By the child who rests peacefully,
Safe within our arms.