Carey’s Story
Carey Hughley III, a 21-year-old college student, was shot and killed by a mentally ill student. Carey’s sister knew that he had indicated his desire to be a donor on his driver’s license. His family decided to honor Carey’s wish. They knew of two women who were waiting for kidney transplants—one from his parents’ church and one from his aunt’s church. They directed Carey’s kidneys to them, and the kidneys matched and were transplanted. Carey’s liver went to a 47-year-old father of three, and one of Carey’s lungs went to a woman who was able to go back to work.

The Hughleys keep Carey’s memory alive by speaking about donation and raising awareness. Carey’s mother says, “It is rewarding to know that you have done something to save the lives of others. The Gift of Life is a precious gift.”

Larry’s Story
When Larry Williams went to the doctor with a nosebleed, he was shocked to learn that he was very sick and needed a kidney transplant to survive. After four years on dialysis, his liver also began to fail. Finally, on May 17, 2000, Larry received a kidney and liver transplant and a new chance at life. During his surgery, he had a spiritual vision and felt called to use his talent for singing to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation and to express his gratitude. He knows that without his donor’s gift, he would not be alive. When Larry talks to people who are considering donation, he says, “Just do it! What are you going to do with your organs if you’re dead? You could save eight people’s lives. You know in your heart it’s the right thing to do.”

Karen’s Thank You
Dear Hospital Staff,
Thank you for your excellent care through transplantation. Leaving behind 36 years of diabetes and over ten years of CKD, I now have hope for improved quality of life.

With energy replenished, I can now raise my boys and I no
longer take for granted the joy of caring for my family. Every day of life is a blessing!
—Karen Devine, Kidney Recipient

Jukiya’s Story
Jukiya Hayes was five years old when she was fatally wounded by a drunk driver in Winston-Salem.

Although devastated by her death, Jukiya’s family found comfort in donating her organs. “If Jukiya’s heart beats in someone else, Jukiya is still going on in that person,” said Jukiya’s grandmother.

Jukiya’s heart saved the life of a five month-old baby, one of her kidneys went to a five year-old child and her other kidney saved the life of a North Carolina woman. Through death, Jukiya gave life…and hope to others.

Michelle’s Story
My daughter Madisynn was born with a rare and fatal condition known as Berdon’s Syndrome, she was unable to eat or digest food on her own. We were given little to no hope on her chances of living. In fact, we were told at birth that she would most likely not make it to six months and a 99 percent chance that she would never see her first birthday, unless she received a multi-visceral transplant. I knew nothing about organ donation or transplants – I had only been asked once if I was organ donor (when I got my driver’s license) and because I didn’t know anything about it or understand – I said “no.” But here I was at this important time in my life and faced with the fact that my little girls life depended on someone else being an organ donor – I couldn’t save her.

At just 10-weeks-old, Maddie was placed on the waiting list for a transplant. Over 20 surgeries and over 50 blood/platelet transfusions later, she made it! Madisynn received a liver, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines all from one donor. She did amazingly well. It was a miracle. Her third birthday was such a blessing! But exactly one month later, Maddie went into cardiac arrest and became brain dead. You may think that the transplant was not a success, but that is not true. My little girl was given precious time here on earth, and she enjoyed every minute of it.

We wanted to know if we would be able to donate any of Maddie’s organs when she passed, and we were very proud to find out that a little boy received her heart and the others were given for research!

Life is a circle, and being a donor – just brings it right back around. It is extremely hard to lose a love one, especially a child, but donation gives you such comfort and peace to know that your child, as young as they might be, made a difference – a huge difference. I want people to know the importance and how easy it is to be a donor. You can be a hero – You can save lives! My husband and I are both organ donors now and so are our two little boys. I have not had the opportunity to meet our donor or the recipient and his family, but I look forward to one day meeting all of them, and seeing life…full circle.
"Maddie’s Mom"—Michelle

Alexis’ Story
Organ donation wasn’t on Alexis McMillian’s mind when she went to the doctor for a routine physical. She was a young, healthy mother from the Triad with two children. But her world changed when she was told she needed a kidney transplant to live.

The wait was the hardest part. Dialysis kept her alive for two years, but left her with little energy. Fortunately, Alexis did receive a transplant.

Now she lives for two people – herself and her donor. With the generous gift of life, Alexis is now able to enjoy her family and her new life.

Skid’s Story
I’ve had a bad heart for most of my adult life. I was on my second pacemaker/defibrillator when things started to go downhill rather quickly. In April of 2005, I collapsed on stage while performing and ended up in the hospital. In total I collapsed four times in public, and once at home. Each time, my defibrillator kicked in and shocked me back to life.

Finally, after 15 years of care, my cardiologist told me there was nothing more he could do for me. My heart was failing. He recommended me to a heart surgeon at Duke Hospital. After weeks of testing, it was determined that I needed a heart transplant, and soon. My heart was giving out fast, and I had perhaps one year, or less, to live.

Because of my rare blood type, I was put on a short list. A heart was found rather quickly, but it was a false alarm. It turned out to be too large for my chest cavity, so someone else received it instead of me. I went home “broken-hearted.” Six weeks into the program, I got another call from Duke. They had found another heart. This time, it was a perfect match. The surgery was performed in November of 2005. It was a six and a half hour operation, and except for some very minor complications during recovery, everything went perfectly. Eight days later, I was sent home. To this day, I don’t know anything about my life-saving donor except that she was a 20-something female.

Today, I feel like I am a part of a very exclusive club that few people can be a member of. I wear my new heart with pride—like a badge of honor. I want to tell it to the world. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this second chance at life, but I’m not going to waste it. There was a living, breathing person who now lives inside of me. She had family and friends who all miss her. She had a home. She had likes and dislikes. She had her whole future ahead of her until some tragedy cut her life short. I’m going to treat her with the respect she deserves. I’m going to watch over her, make sure she gets the medications she needs to keep her healthy. In other words, I’m going to take care of her like my life depended on it.
—Skid

Rosa’s Story
As a science teacher, Rosa knew the advantages of organ donation, but personally never gave donation much thought until she was told she needed a kidney transplant to live. Dialysis three hours a day for three years kept her alive... it was difficult time.

Eventually, Rosa did receive a transplant. Forever grateful for this generous gift of life, Rosa was given fifteen additional years to build memories with her husband and family.

Fargo’s Story
Fargo, was a happy-go-lucky kid until a stray bullet cut her life short. Although devastated by her death, the decision to donate was an easy one… it was what Fargo wanted. Upon hearing a speech on organ donation at school, Fargo informed her family that she would like to be an organ donor. “I would strongly encourage all citizens to share the gift of life,” said her mother, Joyce.

Fargo’s lungs went to a 32 year old woman, and her heart saved a young pregnant woman. Through death, Fargo gave life.