James Parsons

Type of Donation:          organs

Age and Location:          Age 57 – New Market, AL

Donation Date:             9/30/2021

Sponsor:                   Honored by Legacy of Hope

JAMES’S STORY

Jim Parsons was the guy in the room that always made you smile - his laughter was contagious. His love of life and adventure were a big part of what made him who he was - and his passion was riding motorcycles. Jim routinely rode across the country on his street bike, and raced dirt bikes competitively. He taught his kids how to ride, and when he was forced to stop racing after an injury, he devoted his time to helping his kids race.

He never had an enemy, and was loved by so many friends and family, especially his 3 kids. He could fix anything and would always stop what he was doing to help others – it was his nature to help.

When Jim had his dirt bike accident and was declared brain dead, there was no question that he was an organ donor. He was unable to donate all of his organs but was asked to participate in a groundbreaking study through The University of Alabama in Birmingham Hospital and Legacy of Hope. Jim became the first brain-dead human to successfully receive a genetically modified pig kidney within his body. As soon as the kidneys were implanted, they began to produce urine and did so throughout the 77-hour long study, which is now called “The Parsons Model.”

Because of the donation of his body, doctors can now move forward with more testing and will very soon be able to implant into living humans. Jim Parsons has impacted the world of organ donation and transplantation unlike anyone else! He has paved the way to potentially wipe out the kidney transplant waiting list. He was a one-of-kind person in life AND in death. What an incredible legacy to carry on forever.