ALEXANDRIA, Va. (USTCNS) --- For weeks, the Combined Federal Campaign catalog has appeared on desks and workstations all over the Military Traffic Management Command.

This year, there is one unique difference.

On the cover is one of MTMC Headquarters' most familiar faces: Curtis Moore, a traffic management specialist in the Distribution Analysis Center.

Many wondered how Moore became one of a dozen individuals representing the nationwide campaign.

"I was surprised, too," said Moore. "I knew I'd been nominated, but I didn't know I was selected until I saw the CFC cover."

Moore's co-workers were also impressed - they even asked for his autograph.

"I thought they were joking," said Moore. "I've known most of them for years."

Soft-spoken in tone and professional in manner, Moore shakes his head as he recalls being caught off guard. Even so, the experience was positive, unlike his discovery of the illness that changed his life.

Everything Changed

Moore first became sick in 1983, when he was an Army first lieutenant stationed in Nordenham, Germany. As the assistant operations officer, who supervised a staff of 20 including stevedores and longshoremen, Moore was accustomed to working long hours at the Bremerhaven port.

Moore began to notice some seemingly minor health problems, and visited the Army doctor. The doctor ran tests but found no abnormalities. Moore returned to his normal life, chalking up his physical complaints to stress or inadequate rest.

One evening, while working on a merchant marine vessel, Moore began to cough violently. His supervisor, Capt. Kent Williams, who was also working that night, knew something was terribly wrong when Moore started spitting up blood. Williams insisted that Moore take the next ferry to the mainland and get some help.

Moore reluctantly rushed to make the last ferry, still unaware of the seriousness of his condition.

After examining him, the doctor told Moore that his kidneys had completely failed: Had he not gone into the hospital that night, he would have lost his life.

"Today Ken is my best friend - he literally saved my life," said Moore.

Prior to his illness, Moore was a healthy bachelor, who carefully watched his eating and ran three to four miles a week.

After he was diagnosed with kidney failure, however, he was hospitalized for seven months.

Kidney Needed

It was obvious that Moore needed another kidney. His first transplant was unsuccessful, however. Complications immediately set in, and the kidney only lasted a short time.

Moore received his second transplant in 1984, and for a second time, his body rejected the unfamiliar organ. This meant another transplant.

In the interim, he endured life-sustaining kidney dialysis three to four times a week, not knowing how long he would have to wait for another chance at a normal life.

Moore notes that many people are not aware of the importance of becoming designated organ donors.

"Some transplant patients wait two years or more for organs," said Moore. "One of my church members died waiting for a lung and liver transplant. You have no idea how long it will take - or even if you'll get an organ."

Waiting can be a deadly game. At any given time, more than 68,000 patients are waiting for an organ transplant in the United States - and 2,000 new patients that are added to the list each month.

"Every day of the year, as many as 14 people die waiting for an vital organ transplant," said Moore.

A Successful Transplant

At last, on Valentine's Day, 1989 - six years after he was diagnosed - Moore received his current transplant.

Moore's kidney has worked well until recently. He now takes 22 or more pills every day to maintain his health. Although he currently battles hypertension and other problems related to the transplant, he is optimistic.

"I like having a positive attitude. I just believe everything is going to be all right."

CFC Was There

Imuran was the most widely accepted medication for kidney transplant patients in 1983, but Curtis decided to try Cyclosporine. Many hoped this experimental treatment would increase the body's chances of accepting transplanted organs. Donations made to Combined Federal Campaign organizations made it possible for Moore to receive Cyclosporine.

Today, Cyclosporine is a nationally recognized treatment and is approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

"CFC made it possible," said Moore. "I was one of the first people to take the medicine, and now it's available to thousands of patients."

Making a Difference Where It Counts

Moore knows the importance of giving back. He was selected to work as a Congressional intern. Moore is a graduate of the Army Management Staff College and, until recently, was president of the MTMC alumni association. He proudly travels the Washington, D.C., area, encouraging federal workers to contribute to the Combined Federal Campaign and sign up to be designated organ donors.

"You never know what will happen in the future," said Moore, "You never know who will one day need treatment or assistance made available through CFC contributions."

Moore takes this message to other federal employees. In this year's campaign, he talked about the issues with such audiences as the U.S. Court of Appeals, the U.S. Chemical Board, and the Washington Transplant Consortium.

Today, he and his wife, Judy, and their two children, Alex and Camille, take each day as it comes.

"Organ donation is the highest ultimate charitable gift one person can make," concluded Moore. "Without someone's gift, I wouldn't be here today." (FROM MILITARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).