I started getting worse in the summer of 2010 and barely had enough energy to function on a daily basis.  When I went for a check-up, we were told there was nothing that could be done and I had to receive a liver as soon as possible.  Our church prayer email chain sent out an email indicating that I needed a liver immediately.  The next day, my ladies prayer group had a special prayer at 6:00pm and also at 7:00pm.  Of course, I was not present due to being too weak.  At 9:00pm that night, I received a call indicating they had a match.  My entire family, husband, mother, daughter, son-in-law and pastor drove to Memphis.  My other daughter, who lives in Southaven, Mississippi, met us at the hospital, and I had my transplant.  What a story!  This was not a happenstance, but I know that the prayers of hundreds of people and the good Lord carried me through the time I was sick, during the transplant, and for the year that has just passed. 

Most of my family were already registered donors.  However, many others have signed up since my miracle.  I know it is sad for the donor family, but I thank God for their loved one that had made the decision earlier to be a donor.  My oldest daughter has gotten 38 friends to also register.  I have not been able to contact the donor family yet, but I plan on doing so.  My letter must be generic with no real personal information given.  I must send the letter to the transplant center address, and they will send it to my donor family.  If they want to contact me, they may do so.  If not, I will never know the family of the person that GAVE ME LIFE.  Thank God for the donor program and the doctors that are able to perform the surgery.

The insurance company did not want to pay for a liver transplant, so I was unable to be put on the transplant list.  My husband, David, called the insurance company, his work, insurance commissionaire and our local Senator for help.  Finally, he got some help and the insurance company said they would approve the transplant.  I was then put on the transplant list.

By this time, I was in the hospital as my lung had collapsed.  I was in the hospital for one month.  After my lung was taken care of, I went home with my sister and brother-in-law.  If we had to be away from home, we had to keep our cell phone on in case the transplant team needed to call me.  About a week went by, and then I received a call from the transplant team to head for the hospital.

I received my liver transplant on March 31, 2005.  With the help of the doctors and God, I now have a new chance at life.  I am so very blessed! 

I’ve tried to contact the family of my donor, but have not received a reply.  I am so thankful for my donor having made that decision to be a donor.  My family and I volunteer at events to talk about and give out information about becoming a donor.

Our 39 year old son, Kyle, died on March 30, 2011.  He died at home, peacefully in his sleep.

When we got to the hospital, our daughter-in-law asked what we thought of donating Kyle’s organs.  We didn’t hesitate with our answer of YES.

Kyle was a man who always gave to anyone who had a need.  During college he gave his last few dollars to a friend to put gas in the car for a trip home.  He always helped those in trouble.  Kyle was a good man.

Knowing his giving, helpful spirit, why would we not agree to donate his organs.  In our love of Kyle, his organs were donated.  Unfortunately, because of an autopsy, his vital organs could not be used.  But we were told that up to 60 people might be helped by use of his veins, tissue and skin.  How wonderful – for us, his family and for the recipients and their families.  We would appreciate meeting some of them.

(Shared by Kyle’s parents – Mary & Gerald Jackey.)

In 1995, I was entering my senior year at Morehead State University.  I was playing basketball and enjoying life.  Suddenly, I was told news that put everything into perspective.   I was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease called Bergers. 

I met the love of my life at Morehead, and Shawne and I married in 1997.  I started coaching basketball, and even led Mason County High School to a Sweet Sixteen title.  Slowly, my disease started to take its toll.  I didn’t want to draw attention to it, but the disease had progressed enough that it was causing my kidneys to shut down.  It took too much energy to even give our baby daughter a bath.  My only answer, a life-saving answer, was a kidney transplant.  My family was tested, and my amazing wife Shawne was a match.  I always say that she was a gift when she agreed to marry me, but to give me a kidney, and allow me to be a good husband, father and coach, was truly a gift of life.  Shawne never even hesitated. 

After my transplant in 2004, I was able to get back on the court and continue my coaching career.  I led Pikeville College to a National Title in 2011, and the first person I looked for after the win was Shawne.  She’s the one who made this happen.  She is my life, along with our 2 beautiful children – Kaylee, 8, and Mason, 4.  We have learned to appreciate the little things in life, and we know how blessed we are.

Since our experience, we have become advocates for organ donation.  We want to encourage everyone in our community to support organ and tissue donation and join the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry.   There are thousands of people waiting on a transplant, and registering as an organ donor could lead to the gift of life for so many.  We want to let people know how important it is, and how simple it is to add yourself to the donor registry.  Once you have this experience happen to you or a family member, you start to see how real it actually is.

-Kelly Wells

Andrew was an awesome young man of just eleven years – a short life was filled with love for everyone he knew.  His eyes were crystal blue and now they shine as stars in the night.  He had a laugh that everyone wished they had, one that could make your belly hurt and a smile that could wrap around the world, his family and his teachers.  A young man that for his size knew how to hug, oh how he genuinely wrapped those arms around you and left a wonderful feeling that you had been hugged by him and he meant it.  His love and energy expanded into the great outdoors as he and his Dad loved to hunt turkey, deer and go fishing.  Sports were another highlight in his life as he was a gifted athlete enjoying football, basketball and track.  His teammates described by others as being forever touched and inspired.  He loved spending time with family, grandparents and friends which most of the time he was the center of entertainment.

Andrew was involved in an ATV accident July 2008, and five days later pronounced brain dead.  As he lay lifeless in the hospital bed his Mother recalls “it was as if whispers from our angel so profound and vivid….save someone else Mom – I CAN DO IT!  The words never spoken but yet were so clear and strong to my ears.”  The contact was made with the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) and the feeling of a warm blanket was placed around us. The KODA team handled every situation with extreme reverence and compassion toward our family.   Dark times led to a lighted path of giving – giving the ultimate gift of life.  We know that Andrew is honored because, though in our tragedy and having to let him go, the outcome has spread into such a positive new form of life.  Our family does have peace and comfort in knowing that a part of Andrew lives on in many.  Born in the fifth month, completing fifth grade and in the end became an organ donor giving five lifesaving organs.  Andrew was our champion and only child, he was truly Heaven sent.

Andrew’s legacy continues as his parents pledge to his classmates “The Andrew Johnson Marshall County High School Class of 2015 Scholarship”.  Throughout the next four years numerous fund raising events will take place in his honor.  Spring of 2015 those funds will be awarded to recipients of his graduating class providing them with hope and inspiration for their future wrapped with Andrew’s love.

-Shared by Andrew’s parents, Kevin & Susan Johnson