RECIPIENT STORIES
The gift of organ and tissue donation truly saves and enhances lives. It offers hope right here in our community and throughout our state. We encourage you to meet some of our recipients who have hope for a new life all because their hero said YES to organ and tissue donation.
SHARE YOUR STORY
If your loved one was a hero for donation or a recipient and you would like to share their story of hope, please fill out this form to express interest to have you or your loved one's story shared in the form of social media, Good Ad (newspaper PSA), traditional media or any other purposes to further LifeShare's mission.
SHARE YOUR STORY
If your loved one was a hero for donation or a recipient and you would like to share their story of hope, please fill out this form to express interest to have you or your loved one's story shared in the form of social media, Good Ad (newspaper PSA), traditional media or any other purposes to further LifeShare's mission.
|
A GRATEFUL HEART
|
|
ONE-YEAR-OLD ELAINA, CHICKASAW TRIBE MEMBER, LIVER RECIPIENTAt just three pounds and 32 weeks gestation, Elaina Reynolds, the one-year-old daughter of Cody and Kellie Reynolds, came into the world full of life.
During Kellie’s pregnancy, doctors were concerned about complications and in what all felt like a blur, she was diagnosed with preeclampsia and sent to OU Medical Center. Two days later, Kellie had an emergency C-section. 
|
|
OKLAHOMA MAN 'TRUSTS THE PROCESS' FOR A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE
|
CURTIS KINGFISHER, SOONER FOR A DAY
Curtis Kingfisher, son of Floyd and Rhonda Kingfisher of Salina, Oklahoma, was born with serious health challenges. At first, the doctors gave the Kingfishers no hope at all. Even when Curtis had rallied and was well enough to go home, they predicted that his kidneys would fail altogether by the time he was five or maybe six years old. Floyd remembers hearing, “He’ll never be able to grow up like a normal boy.” His reply, “I don’t care. He’s my son. I want to take him home.”
|
RALPH HOWELL, HEART RECIPIENTMy name is Ralph and my story began in August 2004 when I was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy. For years I was treated with medication, but by 2010 my disease had progressed. I had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted which saved my life on two or three occasions. By 2012 I had to have a heart pump and was told that the only way to prolong my life was to receive a heart transplant.
|
|
TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT LIVES LIFE WITH PRIDE
|
|
SHARING LIFE AND A LIVER
|
|
FACEBOOK HELPS FIND WOMAN LIFE SAVING TRANSPLANT
When Elise Solloway, of Woodward, Okla., received a call from her sister with family news – her life changed. Elise’s sister, Catherine, had just been diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney and Liver Disease (PKD).
Neither of them had ever heard of the disease – and no one in the family had been diagnosed either. Catherine found out she had the disease by accident – she had a CT scan on her lower back for a suspected tumor, but instead she found an enlarged liver covered with fluid-filled cysts. The scan discovered that both of her kidneys were covered with cysts as well. 
|
|
WOMAN ADVOCATES FOR DONATION AFTER RECEIVING LIVER TRANSPLANTLorrinda Gray-Davis, of Yukon, Okla., is a strong advocate for the things she believes in. For most of her professional life has been an advocate for minority, women and small construction companies. After she received a much needed a transplant to save her life – she became an advocate of organ donation.
Lorrinda lived most of her life with no health concerns. After living out of state for twenty-two years, she moved back to Oklahoma. After eight months of moving she was not feeling well and eventually went to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with pancreatitis and end stage liver disease. 
|
|
PERFECT TIMING: OKLAHOMA WOMAN RECEIVES TRANSPLANT AT LAST MINUTE - LifeShare Celebrating National Donate Life MonthConna Weaver of Moore, Okla., wakes up and looks around her room and thinks to herself, ‘I’m I really here?’ Normal and mundane days are often surreal to her; remembering the journey to her second chance at life.
Conna lived a very active life – with four grown kids and nine grandchildren all involved in their respective hobbies and within miles of her – she never missed anything. She spent time at the lake with her family and looked forward to family vacations to the ocean. When she wasn’t with her family, Conna was working at a job she adored. She worked more than 22 years keeping semi-truck drivers safe and compliant on the road. 
|
|
OUR LITTLE KIDNEYIn June 2012, Cynthia saw a post of a single mother in need of a kidney transplant. She responded and begun the paperwork and testing to generously help another person. During the process, the person in need of a kidney had a friend who was a match. However, Cynthia chose to continue to follow the process to give her kidney to someone else in desperate need for a kidney.
Milton grew up athletic, but one day without warning he started losing weight and dropped 65 pounds very quickly. 
|
|
OKLAHOMA WOMAN WAITING FOR LUNG TRANSPLANT RECEIVES "THE CALL"Raychel Baker, of Oklahoma City, has a lot of faith.
She is just one of the nearly 700 Oklahomans who woke up this morning hopeful today would be the day she receives a call that would change her life forever. At a young age, she was diagnosed with a rare Idiopathic Lung Disease for which there is no cure. The disease manifests itself as a slow deterioration or scarring of the lung tissue. 
|
|
CHILDHOOD FRIEND GIVES WOMAN NEW LEASE ON LIFE WITH DONATION OF KIDNEYChildhood observation and a generous heart saved one Oklahoma woman’s life thirty six years after the two had lost connection.
Belinda Ball, of Tulsa, Okla., was born with a kidney defect and at just three years old, she underwent surgeries to fix them. She grew up with frequent medical problems, including infections. When Belinda was in the third grade, her friend Claudia noticed her struggle. Even at such a young age she wanted to help, and remembered watching Belinda’s struggle throughout her adult life. 
|
|
FATHER AND SON SHARE INSEPARABLE BOND
|
|
SUZANNE WHEELER, LIVING DONOR, AND HER DAUGHTER, TIFFANY LADD, KIDNEY RECIPIENTTiffany Ladd, of Tulsa, Okla., and her mom share a special bond with one another that is a little different than other mother-daughter relationships. They talk on the phone together every single day and Tiffany refers to her mom as her ‘life coach’. Her mom always has the right thing to say, no matter the circumstances. They enjoy getting together over a cup of coffee, watching Tiffany’s kids’ sporting events and attending family dinners. There’s not much these two don’t do together, including sharing a kidney.
|
|
TULSA NURSE HONORS WOMAN WHO SAVED HER LIFE
Breanna Fly, of Claremore, Okla., lives everyday grateful for a priceless gift she received, and she pays it forward in her actions as a nurse.
On Christmas Eve in 2010, Breanna was enjoying time with her family eating, playing games and opening gifts. She took a nap that afternoon and woke up glowing yellow. Her mom rushed her to the nearest Emergency Room. Breanna was diagnosed with severe food poisoning and Hepatitis A. 
|
|
MAKING BABY BAYLOR FEARLESSLike most toddlers, two-year-old Baylor Andrews, of Oklahoma City, is full of life. She likes to sing, dance and enjoy time with her family while she flaunts her darling bold personality.
Early in 2017, Baylor’s parents, Bryant and Alyssa, noticed Baylor had a loss of appetite. Like a growing toddler, she had been eating non-stop but started to only eat a few bites each meal and eventually did not want to eat at all. Once she refused to drink milk, her parents knew they were dealing with more than just a picky toddler. 
|
|
DAWN DEVORSE, KIDNEY RECIPIENTDawn struggled with her pregnancy when she found out that her blood pressure was high, and her kidneys were failing. She started dialysis for three hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday which lasted for over three years.
Sadly, Dawn passed away in July 2021, we appreciate her dedication to LifeShare as an advocate for many years. She will be missed.
|
|
DENTIST'S SIGHT RESTORED AFTER CORNEAL TRANSPLANTFrancis Moore, of Norman, Okla., began his budding career in dentistry at age 25. Just two years later, he began to lose his vision and could only see with one eye. Disappointed in his vision and worried about his career, he visited an ophthalmologist and was later diagnosed with an eye condition that could only be cured by a cornea transplant.
At just 27 years old, Moore was fearful about his future as a dentist. He would doubt himself and his profession wondering who would want to have dental procedures completed by a one-eyed dentist. 
|
|
ULTIMATE ACT OF KINDNESS: OKLAHOMA WOMAN DONATES KIDNEY TO HER BEST FRIENDThe act of giving without expecting something in return is the true definition of kindness. One Oklahoman woman demonstrated the true definition of kindness and became her best friend’s hero.
|
|
COOPER RECEIVES GIFT OF LIFE THANKS TO SELFLESS DONORLifeShare Celebrates National Donate Life Month
When sixteen-year-old Cooper Ward, of Sapulpa, Okla., received his license, he was adamant of checking ‘yes’ when the question, “would you like to be a registered organ donor?” appeared on his screen. After all, he knows the importance of making that decision that could save a life.
Born with a life threatening liver disease, Cooper’s health was deteriorating rapidly. Early in his life, he underwent exploratory surgery to determine a diagnosis. Ultimately, the doctor returned the devastating news to his family that Cooper would die unless he was fortunate enough to receive a liver transplant. 
|
|
JILLIAN SULLEY, CORNEAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTAs Jillian Sulley of Broken Arrow, Okla., began the drive back to college to take her final exams, she suddenly noticed the only thing she could see out of her left eye was a white haze. Terrified, she called her mom who instructed her to finish her final exams and that she would schedule an appointment with an eye doctor when Jillian returned. When they went to the appointment, the doctor examined her eyes and then asked the family to meet him in his office.
Jillian and her mother were overwhelmed with fear as they walked into his office. The doctor told Jillian that in his entire practice, he had never seen Fuchs’ Dystrophy and Keratoconus together in someone her age. To treat her diseased corneas, he recommended an emergency corneal transplant in her left eye and immediately placed her on the waiting list 
|
|
BRANDI RUTHERFORD, HEART RECIPIENTIn December 2014, Brandi had a case of strep throat which resulted in the diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy. Unable to tolerate any of the medications to treat it, she was told that ultimately a heart transplant would be needed to save her life.
|
|
LIFUS TODD, KIDNEY RECIPIENTLifus Todd, of Lawton, Okla., was born into a military family and was destined to become an officer in the United States Army. He graduated high school from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, and went on to attend the prestigious West Point Military Academy. Lifus led an active lifestyle, and in addition to his regular drills, he enjoyed playing basketball.
In August 2002, Lifus noticed his ankles were so swollen he couldn’t get his boots on. 
|
|
MIKE JONES, LIVER RECIPIENTMike lived a healthy and active life. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and going to the beach with his family. At 51 years old, he developed a rare genetic disease and quickly learned he would need a new liver to survive. After waiting nearly three years, Mike got the call that told him he was receiving a second chance at life. He no longer takes any day for granted and enjoys playing with his grandson, attend drag races and spend time with his family.
|
|
KIM MARTINEZ, LIVER RECIPIENTOn a mission to donate a kidney to her older brother, Kim was getting in shape by eating healthy and exercising. Later that year, she found herself in the emergency room and was told that she would not be able to donate kidney as she needed her own liver transplant to survive. Since receiving her liver transplant in February 2016, Kim is grateful for every day she has been given.
|
|
KAYLEE RAYBURN, LIVER RECIPIENTKaylee loves to play tennis, she’s a member of the NHS, active in her church and just recently received her driver’s license. Enjoying life to the fullest, Kaylee is planning to continue her education by attending college and fulfill her dream of helping others.
|
AMY TIPPETT, LIVER RECIPIENT
Amy enjoys the simple things -- green grass in the spring and the birds sweet song in the trees. She doesn’t take any moment of life time for granted, but appreciates each and every breath she takes. A few years ago Amy wasn’t sure she would be alive today. After struggling with liver failure, she was placed on the transplant waiting list and prayed that a miracle match would come her way.
In a time of unthinkable loss, a family of a total stranger decided to donate their loved ones organs, and Amy was one of the grateful recipients of their many gifts.
In a time of unthinkable loss, a family of a total stranger decided to donate their loved ones organs, and Amy was one of the grateful recipients of their many gifts.
JOHN ZEIGLER AND ROB PITTMAN, FRIENDS SINCE MID-HIGH
|
“Rob and I have been friends since Mid High and High School at Edmond Memorial. There are about 5 or 6 of us that make up a core group that have remained close all these years. When I got my driver’s license I checked the box to become a donor, but didn’t think much about it until Rob told me his kidneys were failing.” - John
|
|
HENRY WEATHERS, HEART RECIPIENTOur son, Henry, came into the world with an underdeveloped heart and had his first open heart surgery at four weeks old. Other surgeries followed and bought our child some time to grow and develop, but at the age of five his health deteriorated quickly and he was put on the transplant waiting list.
|
|
ANN ARTHUR, LIVER RECIPIENTI was 21 and healthy, I thought, until I suddenly found myself in complete liver failure. Within hours of the diagnosis, I slipped into a coma and my family was told I would die in a couple of days if a liver wasn’t found.
|
|
LARRY ELLIOTT, LIVER RECIPIENT & TRANSPLANT GAME PARTICIPANT
Seven years ago, Larry Elliot, of Oklahoma City, Okla., had strange turn of fate which caused him to wait for a call that would give him another chance at life.
Elliott received a new liver in 2009 that changed the way he lived. Elliott is now preparing to represent the state of Oklahoma in the 2016 Transplant Games of America in Cleveland, Ohio. 
|
|
NATALIE SAVED HER DAUGHTER ELLIEOur daughter, Ellie, was born in November 2008. When she was three months old, we found out she had a liver problem.
We went to Children’s Hospital in OKC, but were soon sent to a transplant center in Nebraska for evaluation. On March 18th, Ellie was put on the list for transplant. We came back home to wait. 
|
|
LOGAN WILKE, DIRT BIKER AND TISSUE RECIPIENTIn 2011, I was competing in a cross country motorcycle race when I lost my balance on a creek crossing. I put my foot down to help with my balance and as soon as I did I felt an extreme pain in my knee as I fell to the ground.I knew immediately I had torn my ACL. An MRI the next day confirmed it and I was scheduled for surgery within a week or so.
|
|
TERESA & MISTY, FRIENDS FOR LIFETeresa was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease at the age of 25, and ate a healthy diet to prevent dialysis. She was eventually listed on the transplant waiting list and posted on her Facebook page that she was in need of a kidney. A new friend of hers, Misty, found her that next week and told her she would donate one of her kidneys so that Teresa could live a long and healthy life. Teresa now has energy and a spirit of gratefulness because of her living donor.
|
|
KAREN HOYT, LIVER RECIPIENT
Karen lives every day with a grateful spirit and the heart to be an encouragement and motivation to others. She had always lived a healthy life despite being born with only one kidney. She was active in her community as a volunteer, teacher and Sunday school teacher at her church. In 2010, she learned that her liver was failing, and she was later diagnosed with the Hepatitis C virus.
She was sent home thinking her days were numbered. Despite this news, she clung to her faith and began eating even healthier than she had before the diagnosis. Luckily, antiviral medication came out and she was cured of Hepatitis C by 2011 but the end stage liver failure still loomed over her. 
|
|
SOFIA SALAZAR, LIVER RECIPIENT
In 2004, Sofia’s mother learned her two-month-old daughter’s liver wasn’t draining. She had surgery, but was eventually placed on the transplant waiting list just a few months later. A week before her first birthday, Sofia received a new liver. Now, an active twelve year old, she enjoys playing basketball, going to church and being a cheerleader.
|
|
MIKE LANE, KIDNEY/PANCREAS RECIPIENTMike was diagnosed at the age of six with juvenile diabetes. He was put on dialysis at home so that he could live a normal life, and was then listed to be put on the transplant waiting list. Since Mike’s transplant in 2006, he has experienced parts of the world he never dreamed he would see. He has participated in several Transplant Games, including two world games, he has won seven gold, four silver and four bronze medals.
|
|
MIKE MCCLELLIN, KIDNEY RECIPIENTMike was born with Nail Patella syndrome, which affects both the skeletal system and kidneys. He was put on dialysis until he could receive his transplant. On April 1, 2001, Mike received a call that he was getting a second chance at life with a new kidney. Since his transplant, Mike has lived his life to the fullest. Mike is humbled by the lifesaving gift he received.
|
|
ON THE WAITING LIST WITH KAELYNSadly, Kaelyn passed away in September 2021, we appreciate her dedication to LifeShare as an advocate for many years. She will be missed.
Kaelyn was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 20 months. With the help of breathing treatments and daily medicine she was able to live a very normal life. Kaelyn was a cheerleader from age six through high school and continued to stay active. Then at the age of 22, she almost lost her life due to unexpected lung failure post-surgery for her gall bladder and kidney stones. 
|
|
JOSÉ WAS BORN WITH CHRONIC RENAL FAILUREJosé was born with chronic renal failure. His left kidney didn’t grow. At age one, he was placed on the transplant waiting list but was only listed for about a month and he started getting better. He was removed from the list and did well until he was ten years old.
At ten, his health started declining and he was placed back on the list in July 2013. His mom was also tested to be his donor, but within three weeks, a donor kidney became available and he was transplanted in August 2013. 
|
|
TONY WAS FACED WITH DIFFICULT HEALTH CHALLENGES
My son, Tony, has faced difficult health challenges. Before he was born we found out that his kidneys were filled with cysts, and his lungs hadn’t fully developed. Tony’s life has been hard. When one form of dialysis would fail, they would start him on another. On my 23rd birthday, Tony was in the hospital on hemodialysis and getting an antibiotic for a staph infection. My family prayed for him and performed an American Indian ceremony.
|
|
AN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR SAVED CLAIRE'S LEGWe could have lost Claire to bone cancer; surgery and chemotherapy saved her life. An organ and tissue donor saved Claire’s leg. A piece of bone donated by a 33-year-old woman replaced the cancerous part of her femur.
|
|
SIBLINGS, NITA AND KIM
|
|
CHERYL AND STEPHANIE
|
|
JAYRA, LIVER RECIPIENT
|
|
NATALIE GRIFFIN, DOUBLE-LUNG RECIPIENT AND LIFESHARE ADVOCATEDespite living with cystic fibrosis, Natalie was active and loved sports. In high school, she played basketball and was the only girl on the Ice Hockey Team. In college, Natalie’s health worsened. She lacked the energy to walk to class, much less play sports. On the transplant waiting list, Natalie needed a double lung transplant – and a hero donor came through.
|
|
NATALIE MORRISON, HEART RECIPIENT
|
|
DUKE ALLEN, KIDNEY RECIPIENT
|
|
STAN NNOCHIRIONYE, LIVER RECIPIENT
|
|
HEATH ALBERT, HEART RECIPIENT
|
|
SHARI ENGLAND, LIVER RECIPIENT
|
|
JHETT SKAGGS, CHILD HEART RECIPIENTWhen our son, Jhett, was just months old we noticed that he had difficulty nursing and crawling and he would suddenly stop breathing. Jhett was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, and we were told that if he was to survive, he would need a new heart. As he was waiting for a transplant in Houston, the doctors had to put in a new device called the Berlin heart to keep him alive. Jhett was only there for two weeks when he received his first new heart.
|
|
TIM BISHOP, KIDNEY RECIPIENT
|
