Duffy Collins

Organ Transplant Foundation

Christopher Duffy Collins was an intelligent, energetic, young man who loved life and lived with zest and intensity. He was vivacious, charming, and hilarious, and he loved everything and everyone. He loved swimming and sports and played baseball, disc golf and regular golf. And he was good at it all. He had lots of friends and loving parents, and he loved helping people. He studied anthropology and religion before developing an interest in nursing. He attended the University of North Carolina in Greensboro (UNCG).


In 2002 he was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease that destroyed his kidneys, and by 2005 he was having dialysis nine hours every night. Unable to work, he lived with his parents where they lovingly cared for him through it all. Neither of them met the compatibility requirements to donate one of their own kidneys, and there were no other family members who were able to help. Duffy didn't have a chance without a kidney. He was placed on the official waiting list for organ transplants, but time was against him.


Duffy died at the young age of 28.

Piano solo- "Solitude" from the album "Love Etrernal" - written and performed by James Zimmerman. Album

Photos of Duffy Collins' life

• Born in New Hanover County, North Carolina to Bruce and Mary Jo Collins
• 1995 Graduate of Walter Williams High School, Burlington, NC
o Student Council Representative
o Vice President of Student Body Senior Year
o Member of Tennis and Golf teams
o Clubs: Latin, Environmental, Philosophy
o Homecoming Court
• 1994 - Represented Walter Williams High School at the Mars Hill Leadership Conference
• Attended UNCG
o Anthropology, Religion and Nursing
• Achievements as a Child
o 1989 Sugar Babies, Bambino Sportsmanship Award for the City of Burlington
o Burlington’s first baseball player to receive the winning ball– struck out 11 players as a "lefty".
• Achievements as an Adult
o 2nd place in Alamance County’s Pro Am - Cross State Amateur Men’s Disc Golf Contest
o 1st Place for Cross State Doubles Contest- North Carolina vs Tennessee


Duffy's community was greatly affected by his death and showed a great amount of support to his family.


Duffy's parents established Duffy Collins Organ Transplant Foundation in his honor.