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. 

If you are a recipient and would like to share your story of hope, please feel free to send your story, along with a photo of yourself to LifeShare-Marketing@LifeShareOK.org. ​

​​RALPH HOWELL, HEART RECIPIENT

My 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.

LIFE OR BREATH: ONE MAN’S JOURNEY TO A SECOND CHANCE AT BOTH
LIFESHARE CELEBRATING NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH

Wes Hawkins, of Ponca City, Okla., was three years old when his family learned of his Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis. His parents told him from a young age to not let his condition stop him from living his life. 
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Wes worked hard at making every day count. He moved to college and lived some of the best years of his life, thanks to new medicine which turned his life around. He was able to spend time in the beautiful outdoors tending to his yard, landscaping, reading on the patio, even running two 5Ks and spending time with friends and family. 

SHARING LIFE AND A LIVER
LIFESHARE CELEBRATING NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH

David Wheelis, of Oklahoma City, wakes up grateful everyday he is alive. His life is forever changed thanks to his girlfriend – who saved his life five years ago.
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In 2010, David learned he had a rare liver disease. At first, he had anxiety and a fear of the unknown – not fully knowing what would happen. After receiving his diagnosis, he knew he would eventually need a transplant, so he began to accept his diagnosis and eventual treatment.  ​

​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 TRANSPLANT

Lorrinda 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 Month

Conna 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.
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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 KIDNEY

In 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 KIDNEY

Childhood 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
CELEBRATE NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH BY REGISTERING TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR

​A father, George Schroeder, of Norman, shares an inseparable bond with his now eight year old son, Christopher. Together, they watch sports and play basketball or wrestle one another to the floor.
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In 2009 when Christopher was born with a heart condition, the doctors originally thought he would just need a series of three surgeries to repair his heart. However, they learned Christopher would need a heart transplant to survive. At just seven weeks old, he received a new heart from a selfless and generous donor – saving his life.

​SUZANNE WHEELER, LIVING DONOR, AND HER DAUGHTER, TIFFANY LADD, KIDNEY RECIPIENT

​Tiffany 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 FEARLESS

Like 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. 

​DENTIST'S SIGHT RESTORED AFTER CORNEAL TRANSPLANT

Francis 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 FRIEND

The 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 DONOR

LifeShare 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 RECIPIENT

As 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.
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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 RECIPIENT

​In 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 RECIPIENT

​Lifus 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. 
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In August 2002, Lifus noticed his ankles were so swollen he couldn’t get his boots on.

​MIKE JONES, LIVER RECIPIENT

Mike 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 RECIPIENT

On 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 RECIPIENT

​Kaylee 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.
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​JOHN zeigler AND ROB pittman, FRIENDS SINCE MID-HIGH

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​“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 I didn’t think much about it until Rob told me his kidneys were failing.” - John
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HENRY WEATHERS, HEART RECIPIENT

Our 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 RECIPIENT

I was 21 and healthy, I thought, untilI suddenly found myself in complete liver failure. Within hours of the diagnosis, I slipped into a comaand my family was told I would diein 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 ELLIE

​Our 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 RECIPIENT

​In 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 LIFE

​Teresa 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.

KATIE LANGLEY, KIDNEY RECIPIENT

​As Katie’s kidneys deteriorated, her energy level also decreased. Thanks to a generous act from her brother who was her kidney donor, the past 33 years have allowed Katie a chance to live a normal life. She was able to raise her children, and enjoy the gift of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Katie has cherished the opportunity to live her life to the fullest after her transplant.

​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.
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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 RECIPIENT

​Mike 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 RECIPIENT

​Mike 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 KAELYN

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.

She was rushed to Duke Hospital in North Carolina and put on the transplant waiting list. Her need for a transplant was so high; Kaelyn only waited a day and a half to receive the gift of life

​DAWN DEVORSE, KIDNEY RECIPIENT

​​Dawn 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. 

​JOSÉ WAS BORN WITH CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

José 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.  
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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 LEG

We 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
BOTH RECEIVE LIFE-SAVING TRANSPLANTS

As a child, Nita was diagnosed with diabetes and fought the disease for 15 years before being told she needed a new kidney and pancreas to survive. After being on the transplant waiting list for two years, Nita was blessed with the gift of life and her brother Kim was with her every step of the way. Eleven years later, Kim unexpectedly became very ill and doctors discovered he needed a new liver.

​CHERYL AND STEPHANIE
LINKED BY OUR CHILDREN, JOINED THROUGH A KIDNEY

When Cheryl’s daughter died after a tragic car accident, Cheryl and her family chose organ and tissue donation for her. Her healthy heart saved the life of a family acquaintance. Years later, Cheryl met another donor mom, Stephanie. When Stephanie lost her son, she knew he would have wanted to be an organ donor. 

JAYRA, LIVER RECIPIENT

ASPIRES TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF SPECIAL NEEDS
​CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY

At two and a half years old, Jayra received a lifesaving liver transplant. Since then, she has sung and danced her way through high school and enjoys acting in school productions. Jayra will graduate this
spring and is excited to start college. 

​NATALIE GRIFFIN, DOUBLE-LUNG RECIPIENT
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LIFESHARE ADVOCATE

Despite 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

Heart Transplants Save Lives of Father and Daughter

April is National Donate Life Month and LifeShare is celebrating those who have given the gift of life as well as those who have received that gift. The Morrison family, of Roff, Okla., has been deeply impacted by the generous gift of donation and transplantation after both a father and daughter were in need of a new heart.

DUKE ALLEN, KIDNEY RECIPIENT

Thanks to the Family of an Accident Victim

Imagine, 30 years old, beautiful wife, one child, another on the way, a great job and you go to the doctor and he says “This is the day you start dialysis, we have a chair ready for you.” Dialysis...possibly for the rest of your life. I could't start that day, I had to go home and refocus on this long journey of dialysis three times a week. The next day I started and was a dialysis patient for six years. I continued to work for several years and shortly after starting dialysis our second son was
born. Our kids only knew a dad that was on dialysis three times a week, until I received a kidney transplant.

STAN NNOCHIRIONYE, LIVER RECIPIENT

Learning to Live

Passion for education is the backbone for this native of Kaduna, Nigeria. He worked hard in Catholic schools before coming to the United States on a soccer scholarship and attaining his Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting from Buffalo State College in New York. But he didn't stop there, still wanting
to learn more. Stan continued his education to receive his Master of Arts in Broadcast Management and his Education Specialist Degree in Educational Technology from Indiana State, and his Doctorate in Communication from The University of Oklahoma. Currently an educator for East Central University, Stan Nnochirionye has made education his life.
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HEATH ALBERT, HEART RECIPIENT

The Heart of a Rower

When the rowing shell gets up to speed and everyone is rowing together like they should, it is so very quiet. You can hear the bubbles along the sides of the boat . . . everything is perfect. That is the way it was for Heath until his senior year in high school. He had been rowing since he was a sophomore and he loved it. The boys in his boat were doing great.

SHARI ENGLAND, LIVER RECIPIENT

Oklahoman Honored in 2015 Rose Parade

Shari England, of Medford, will be honored at the 2015 Tournament of Roses Parade as a liver transplant recipient. She will be one of 30 float riders on the Donate Life America float during the New Year’s Day parade in Pasadena, Calif.

With a U.S. television audience of millions, Shari will not only be representing organ, eye and tissue donation in the parade, she will be serving as a representative of Oklahoma and the more than 900 members of the state waiting on a lifesaving transplant.

JHETT SKAGGS, CHILD HEART RECIPIEN

When 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

Osage Nation Member Honored at 2015 Rose Parade

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Tim Bishop, Osage Nation member and kidney recipient, was honored at the 2015 Tournament of Roses Parade as an organ transplant recipient. Tim was one of 30 float riders on the Donate Life America float during the New Year’s Day parade in Pasadena, Calif.

“I am proud of my heritage and proud of the lifesaving transplant I received,” said Tim. He now views himself as a symbol for donation and transplantation.