Jo Byrd

Type of Donation:          kidney recipient

Age and Location:         

Donation Date:             

Sponsor:                   Honored by Global Transplant Solutions

JO’S STORY

Jo Byrd was on the list for a kidney transplant for over five years. Though twenty people tested to be a donor, none of them made it through the process. Jo was going to have to go on dialysis. However, without Jo’s knowledge, a neighbor, Tom Dougall, was going through the testing process and did not want her to be disappointed one more time. Seemingly out of the blue, he called one day and said, “I need to come see you.”

Within hours, he stunned Jo with the question, “So, when do you want to do the transplant?” You can only imagine how excited Jo was to hear the news that her neighbor was a match! What a happy day!

The transplant was on March 2, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia before the pandemic hit. Although it was a tough surgery and Tom was under for seven hours while Jo’s complications were dealt with, the transplant was successful. Jo never had to go on dialysis. Though Jo’s recovery was difficult, she said it was so great to see that Tom was up and about and playing tennis within a few weeks.

Jo is now as healthy as can be and looks forward to the years that are now available to her. She eagerly anticipates seeing her grandchildren graduate, because of the life that has been given to her. Jo said she can never thank Tom enough and she is filled with gratitude.