Warmly welcoming a Phi Sig Foundation friend - and hearing a story of true 'sisterly' love!

By Lisa Romero
For the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation

JoAnn Villanueva and
her sister Suzanne Ruff

HERE'S TO FAMILIAR FACES! Recognize the woman on the left? That's JOANN VILLANUEVA, a speaker at our Leadership Conference in Chicago a couple of years ago, who kindly joined us during a Foundation dinner to discuss her experiences as a kidney transplant recipient.

Today, she approached Phi Sigma Sigma sisters at the Expo to ask if we remembered her - and to let us know she was here in Madison with her sister SUZANNE RUFF, a living donor and the author of a new, celebrated book about organ donation. (It's been endorsed by none other than Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent.) "The Reluctant Donor" describes how Suzanne dealt with a range of emotions as she worked through the process of deciding to donate a kidney to JoAnn.

"It's a book about doubt, about wanting to do something in your heart to help someone you love, but being afraid - and then overcoming that," JoAnn explained. Part of the reason for Suzanne's reluctance was a fear she might need her extra kidney, as many women in her family have been afflicted by the same debilitating disease (i.e., polycystic kidney disease, also known as PKD).

Because of Suzanne's courage and loving donation, JoAnn says she's been given another chance at life - and she made the most of it this week as a member of the Games' Team Illinois, competing in the swimming event!

"It's great to be here," JoAnn said. "And it's so great to see your women here, too!" For our part, we're so glad JoAnn remembered us - and we'll look forward to seeing her at upcoming Games!