Melissa Carter

Organ recipient

Age 47 – Atlanta, GA

Honored by Piedmont Transplant Institute

Melissa Carter was unexpectedly diagnosed with kidney disease at 27 and was on dialysis by 31, having no known family history of kidney disease in her family. As a morning show personality in Atlanta, she had the ability to share her experience with her audience, encouraging them to become organ donors in the process. Her cousin, Pam Price, came to the rescue in November of 2002, giving Carter, then 32, a new chance at a healthy life with her kidney. When asked by Melissa why she did it, Pam responded, “There are few times in a person’s life when you can truly make a difference.”

Since then, Melissa has established the Melissa Carter Transplant Fund at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, in hopes of paying for others’ transplants someday, and she now has a son who has forever changed and inspired her world.

Melissa’s fund, show, public speaking course, and other activities can be found on her website at http://www.melissacartersays.com.

Melissa’s Story

Melissa Carter was unexpectedly diagnosed with kidney disease at 27 and was on dialysis by 31, having no known family history of kidney disease in her family. As a morning show personality in Atlanta, she had the ability to share her experience with her audience, encouraging them to become organ donors in the process. Her cousin, Pam Price, came to the rescue in November of 2002, giving Carter, then 32, a new chance at a healthy life with her kidney. When asked by Melissa why she did it, Pam responded, “There are few times in a person’s life when you can truly make a difference.” Pam said she chose this moment as an opportunity to make a difference for Melissa.

Since then, Melissa has established the Melissa Carter Transplant Fund at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, in hopes of paying for others’ transplants someday. She now has a son who has forever changed and inspired her world. There is even a little girl in Ohio named after Melissa, since her aunt was a listener and was inspired to donate her kidney to her brother-in-law after hearing Melissa’s story. Young Melissa was conceived after his recovery, so Melissa got the incredible honor of being a namesake.

“I have lived more in the past 15 years than I did in all the previous years prior to that transplant,” Melissa acknowledges. “Pam and the doctors, nurses, and technicians at Piedmont saved my life. And they saved my son’s life too, since he wouldn’t be here without their help.”

Melissa remains a media personality both in Atlanta and nationwide, and continues to encourage others to donate their organs.

Melissa’s fund, show, public speaking course, and other activities can be found on her website at http://www.melissacartersays.com.