Photo: EThamPhoto / The Image Bank Unreleased / Getty Images
Swimmer Crissy Perham won two gold medals and a silver at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
This was nearly three years before Missy Franklin – also an Olympic swimmer – was even born. Missy won four gold medals and a bronze at the 2012 London Games – and then one more gold medal in 2016 in Rio.
Their lives collided back in 2022, when Crissy learned that Missy's father, Dick Franklin, was dealing with End Stage Kidney Failure and decided to step up and see if she could help.
At first, Crissy kept her conversation private and her identity anonymous. But when Crissy learned she was a match, she revealed her identity and shared the details of her Olympic success with the Franklin family.
Crissy successfully donated a kidney to Dick Franklin – and the families formed a very special bond.
Of course, being so involved in swimming and the Olympics was special. But Crissy's life-saving sacrifice took things to a whole new level.
Every few weeks, Missy sends Crissy texts with photos or videos of Dick playing with his granddaughter.
As Missy explained, “There is not a moment with my dad when I don’t think of Crissy, not only that he is here but also the quality of his life.”
Crissy and her family have visited the Franklins once. It won’t be the last time.
“They’re family now," said Missy. "Any time they come to Nashville, it’s immediate, you’re staying with us, we’re planning dinner, the whole thing. They’re family and they always will be.”