At just 18, my husband Joey watched his father undergo a kidney transplant for polycystic kidney disease, never imagining he would one day face the same battle. By his 30s, when his blood pressure became uncontrollable, we learned he had inherited the disease. After years of “medication roulette,” we turned to the University of Cincinnati transplant team, where we finally found clarity, hope, and a path forward.
When Joey’s kidney function fell below 20%, he was placed on the transplant list—and we were told to find a living donor. Asking for that gift felt impossible, yet we launched a campaign and shared Joey’s story everywhere we could. Then came Heather, a woman we knew but weren’t close to, who selflessly stepped forward and turned out to be a match.
In 2022, Heather gave Joey the gift of life. Although we lost him in April 2025 from injuries sustained in an accident, her donation gave us three more precious years together—years filled with milestones, memories, and quality time we otherwise would not have had. Heather and I remain in close contact, and she has truly become part of our family.
This is the power of organ donation. Not everyone can be a living donor, but each of us can make the choice to register. That simple “yes” creates hope—and hope is everything for families like mine.
Melissa Greenwell lives in Maysville, Kentucky.
