Louisville Residents Recognized as Donation Champions, Including Metro United Way President and CEO

Network for Hope recently recognized five Donation Champions, including Adria Johnson, the President and CEO of Metro United Way in Louisville. Each of the five Donation Champion award-winners go above and beyond in being a “Voice of Hope” in their communities and through their actions.

A Champion for Life is someone who has been an outstanding advocate for organ, tissue, and eye donation in the community. This year’s winner was Adria Johnson, who is a donor mom to KJ.

After KJ became an organ donor, Adria began volunteering with Network for Hope, proving that hope isn’t just spoken, it’s lived. She represented Network for Hope in Washington D.C. during a Congressional hearing, appeared on the organization’s “This Thing Called Life” podcast, and was the keynote speaker at the Virtual Donor Family Recognition Ceremony.

“I believe in organ donation, I always have,” Adria Johnson said, during her keynote speech. “I am a very spiritual woman … I believe that we are here for a moment and there is a purpose for our life and part of that purpose is to bless others.”

The Theodore E. Smith Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution in education and/or promotion of organ, tissue, and eye donation in communities of color. This year’s winner was Marcus Edwards, a kidney transplant recipient who volunteers his time in Louisville as a Donate Life Ambassador.

Network for Hope also recognizes one of its team members who has gone above and beyond to advocate for the gift of life with the Samantha Jameson Vision award. This year’s winner was Amos Gammons, of Louisville, who works as the senior tissue recovery coordinator at the organization.

Aimee Cordrey, of Cincinnati, was recognized with the Legacy Award, given to a donor family member. Aimee’s son, Nick, became an organ and tissue donor at 15 years old. George Cecere, also of Cincinnati, was recognized with the Donate Life Ambassador award for his volunteering efforts. George’s wife, Terri, is a heart transplant recipient.

“We are so thankful to these Voices of Hope and Donation Champions for giving back to the community and sharing the importance of organ, tissue, and eye donation. They are truly making a difference, and we couldn’t do what we do without them,” Andi Johnson, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement at Network for Hope, said.

To learn more about Network for Hope, please visit networkforhope.org.