A reminder that community shows up for its own.
Former Ohio State teammates Terence Dials and JJ Sullinger shared a kidney donation, with transplant procedures on October 12, according to a WSYX (ABC 6) report.
Some stories do not need much dressing up. This week, Columbus learned about two former Ohio State teammates whose friendship led to a life-saving kidney donation, and the way it was shared with the team is the kind of moment that stays with people.
I am a REALTOR, not a medical professional, and I do not have anything to add about the health side. What I can do is pass along what was reported, carefully, and tell you where the report stops. Everything below comes from a WSYX (ABC 6) report by Brea Spencer.
Who Are Terence Dials and JJ Sullinger?
According to WSYX, Terence Dials is a former Ohio State power forward and the program's current recruiting coordinator. JJ Sullinger is his former college teammate. (The report spells the first name "Terence" in the body and "Terrance" in the web address and image text, so I have used the spelling in the article body.)
What Happened?
The report says Dials faced a decade-long struggle with chronic kidney disease. After he sent a message to friends and loved ones asking for a donor, Sullinger stepped forward immediately, and Dials received a kidney transplant from Sullinger. The report says the transplant procedures for the two men took place on October 12.
How Did the Team Learn About It?
WSYX reports that Dials shared his journey with the Ohio State team and spoke about the meaning of the program's "Family" motto. The moment came during a scrimmage against Butler, when the Buckeyes also honored former head coach Thad Matta for reaching 500 career wins. The report does not give the date of that scrimmage.
What Did They Say?
Dials called Sullinger the "hero" of the story and said words were not enough to thank him. In the report, he is quoted saying, "I get emotional, man," and "The real hero of this story is J.J." Sullinger said the decision was not a sudden reaction and tied it to long-standing relationships with teammates and others in the program, saying, "It started where y'all are right now, man."
What Does the Report Not Say?
It does not describe either man's medical details beyond what is above, does not describe their current condition or recovery and does not explain how the match was determined. I will not guess at any of that, and I would ask readers to respect their privacy as they continue to heal.
How Should We Read a Story Like This?
With care. The report is a feature story, and it presents the donation as an example of unity and lasting bonds within the program. It also tells us how the moment landed with the people in the room: Dials said he gets emotional talking about it, and Sullinger described the choice as rooted in years of relationships.
I would resist the urge to add anything the report does not say. Health stories belong to the people living them, and the kindest thing we can do is share what they chose to share, accurately, and leave the rest.
Why Does a Story Like This Matter in a Community?
For me, it is a reminder that a city is more than its streets and listings. Columbus is a place where people show up for each other, and a story like this makes that visible. When people ask me what it is like to live here, I tell them to look at how neighbors, teams and communities rally around each other.
If you are curious about the community side of Central Ohio, I would be glad to talk about it with you, along with housing and neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who donated a kidney to Terence Dials? According to a WSYX (ABC 6) report, JJ Sullinger, Dials's former Ohio State teammate, stepped forward immediately after Dials asked friends and loved ones for a donor. The report says the transplant procedures took place on October 12 and does not describe either man's recovery.
Who is Terence Dials? WSYX describes Terence Dials as a former Ohio State power forward and the men's basketball program's current recruiting coordinator. The report says he faced a decade-long struggle with chronic kidney disease. The report spells his name Terence in the article body and Terrance in its web address, so spellings may vary across sources.
When did the Buckeyes learn about the donation? According to the report, Dials shared his journey with the team and spoke about Ohio State's Family motto during a recent scrimmage against Butler, where the Buckeyes also honored former head coach Thad Matta for 500 career wins. The report does not give the date of the scrimmage.
What does the report not say about the transplant? The report does not describe medical details beyond a decade-long struggle with chronic kidney disease and the transplant itself. It does not explain how the match was determined or describe the men's current condition. Readers should avoid assuming anything beyond what the report says.
Stories like this remind me why I love this community. If you would like to talk about what daily life feels like across Central Ohio, I would be glad to chat, with no pressure and plenty of warmth.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All real estate services are provided in compliance with Fair Housing laws, RESPA, TCPA, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and Ohio Real Estate Commission advertising regulations. Equal Housing Opportunity. Chrisi Hagan, Collins Lassiter Group, Red 1 Realty.
