Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Del Chupp Is A Winner Off The Track Too
October 1, 2004
By Kimberly Rinker

Though driver-trainer Del Chupp doesn’t regard himself as more than a loving brother who is deeply committed to his family—many horsemen in Chicago see him as much more. Recently the 40-year-old Beecher resident took time away from the racetrack to aid his sister, who was in desperate need of a kidney transplant.

Del is one of four siblings who sprang from a tight-knit Goshen, Indiana family. His brother Merv, 47 also trains and drives, his sister Carol, 41 is a mother of two, and his sister Marlene, 51 is the recipient of a new kidney—Del’s left kidney to be exact.

Del Chupp

"A few years ago my sister had been in for a routine check-up and it was discovered that her protein levels in her blood were quite high," Del said. "She was told to cut out the salt and other things that would cause this condition in the blood stream. What was happening is that her kidneys weren’t working to filter out the protein in the proper manner."

Last fall Marlene’s condition worsened, and she was told by doctors that she needed to have a new kidney or would face being placed on dialysis.

"When we got the news all three of us volunteered right away to donate a kidney," Del remembered. "My sister Carol had children, so therefore Merv and I thought it would be tougher on her to go through a transplant. He and I both had some tests and it was found that we both were good matches for Marlene, with five out of six antigens matching, which is what is needed for a transplant."

"Merv deserved a lot of credit—he stepped forward and said he wanted to do this," Del said. "But after several more tests it was discovered that his protein levels were too high was well for a safe transplant. The kidneys filter all the toxins out of your body so it is important that all levels in your blood are stable. Merv was pretty disappointed that he was not able to be the donor for Marlene."

This spring, after numerous tests and procedures, Del was informed that he was "totally compatible" for donating one of his kidneys to Marlene.

"I took countless tests," Del recalled. "Tests for urine, blood, protein, hepatitis. I had an EKG, a Cat Scan—you name it, I had it done."

Del’s tests were conducted at University Hospital in Indianapolis. He and Marlene’s operations were also performed at that central Indiana facility.

"We were originally set to have the operations done at the end of May," Del said. "We check into the hotel the day before surgeries, and at that time the doctor noted that Marlene had a goiter in her throat. He wanted to do a biopsy and thought there was a possibility that she might have thyroid cancer, so it was necessary to postpone the kidney transplant. Well, to make a long story short, the doctors removed the goiter and it was found to contain no cancer whatsoever."

"It was definitely nerve-racking," Del added. "You sort of have to prepare yourself mentally for this type of thing, and you get all prepared, and then to have it postponed was a little tough."

The new date for the kidney transplant was schedule for June 30. Del says he was nervous at times, but tried to stay busy to avoid thinking about the surgeries.

"I knew at a certain point that the whole deal was in God’s hands," Del said. "If I said that I wasn’t scared I’d be lying. I was scared—to a point. I also knew that Marlene needed my help and as a loving brother I could no less."

Del’s surgery lasted four and a half hours, and much of the procedure was done laproscopically. At first, the doctors made four small incisions—two on either side of Del’s navel, before cutting a five-inch incision below his navel, which he calls his "scar of love."

"It’s really amazing what they can do," Del said. "The doctors basically maneuvered all of my insides around to take out my left kidney. Then they put it on Marlene’s right side, very close to the skin."

Miraculously, Del was in the hospital only two days before he was allowed to go home. He stopped all pain medications five days after his surgery and five weeks to the day after his operation he returned to driving horses.

"Marlene stayed in the hospital longer than I did," Del noted. "What was really amazing to me is how my kidney kicked right in and started working for her. It took over all of her functions that were lacking before almost immediately."

Although she will have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life, Del says Marlene is very close to returning to work.

"I am just so thankful that I was able to be there for her," Del said. "There are so many people—just in Illinois alone—who are on a waiting list to receive a kidney. And I’m no worse for the wear. It felt good to return to work full time and to know that my sister is healthy again."

Del has a quarter mile track at his five-acre home in Beecher, and in addition to his driving duties, trains his own four horses, including the top mare Kennan’s Mama, who has earned nearly $200,000 for Del and partners Richard Orelik and Ken Parchem.

"The day after my surgery she won in 1:51.4 at Balmoral for Andy (Miller)," Del said. "That really took the pressure off of me. It just seemed like everything fell right into place. The horses that I train are my bread and butter, and my driving money is an added bonus for me."

Del is quickly closing in on win number 1,000 and to date has piloted the victors of over $7.1 million. He’s conditioned 145 winners to just over $1.1 million in purses as well.

"This whole ordeal really helped me to appreciate my family and friends even more than I already do," Del added. "It puts a lot of things in perspective. A lot of folks around the track think I’m a hero, but I’m not. I know that any of my family members would have done the same for me if the situation were reversed."

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