Man celebrates being transplant recipient

Mt. Vernon Register | Rick Hayes
Ernest and Rose Kujawa of the Scheller area examine their wedding photographs in their home. The Kujawas will be observing their 50th wedding anniversary in the coming month. Ernest this week celebrated his 25th year as a heart transplant recipient. 
Ernest Kujawa celebrated 25 years of being a successful heart transplant recipient on Thursday SCHELLER â€" â€" Ernest Kujawa reached a milestone on Thursday â€" 25 years of being a successful heart transplant recipient.

No special plans were observed by his family on the occasion, although he and his wife will reach another milestone this spring.

"I'm just thankful that I've got to live this long because I didn't expect to live that long after a transplant," Kujawa said. "I've been able to see both of my kids get married, all of the grandchildren come along, and in May we'll celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, so I've got a lot to be thankful for."

Kujawa and his wife Rose will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on May 18. A "big" party will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in DuBois, according to the Kujawas.

"This year is a special year for our family," stated daughter Brenda Rohde of Mongtomery, Ala. "We celebrated the 25th anniversary of my father's heart transplant on Thursday and in May my parents will celebrate their anniversary. Neither of these special occasions would have been possible without the generous gift of organ donation. In the past 25 years, my father has been able to experience my wedding and my brother, enjoy his six grandchildren who all call him PoPo, and many other wonderful occasions." Rohde has two daughters, Abby and Ansley.The Kujawas are also the parents of Craig Kujawa, superintendent at Bethel Grade School. He and his wife Julie have two sons and two daughters: Keatyn, Kelby, Quinton and Calan.
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