First published 2024-11-14 18:05:20
In an extraordinary story of survival and medical intervention, Morton Peterson, a cyclist from Salt Lake City, Utah, credits the Indiana University Health team for saving his life following a catastrophic cycling accident. In October 2020, while riding in Utah, Peterson crashed into a boulder at high speeds, leading to severe injuries that necessitated multiple organ transplants. As his condition deteriorated, local doctors in Utah referred him to IU Health in Indianapolis, one of the few centers in the U.S. capable of performing the rare intestinal transplant procedure he needed.
Arriving in Indiana by life-flight helicopter on November 14, 2020, Peterson faced a grueling wait for a suitable organ donor. The atmosphere was tense but cushioned with hope as Morton’s family and medical team held on to the belief that he would eventually recover. It took eight challenging months before the right donor became available, allowing for the transplant of a small intestine, large intestine, and even a pancreas. This life-saving procedure set him on a path to recovery, supported by a dedicated medical team and his resilient spirit.
Today, Morton and his wife, Beth, return to Indiana from time to time for medical check-ups, each visit marked by gratitude and progress. With his health significantly improved, he recently visited IU Health to personally thank the doctors who restored his life. Standing in the hospital without any medical aids, Morton expressed his appreciation and joy at resuming a normal life, marking a successful outcome of remarkable medical diligence and human resilience.
