Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) and Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust For Life (KCCCTFL) announce that today marks a new day in the Commonwealth’s ongoing initiative to register more organ and tissue donors with the launch of an all-new online registration portal, now live at The Kentucky Online Gateway at https://kog.chfs.ky.gov . The new online registration –  the result of Kentucky’s groundbreaking Senate Bill 77, which was signed into law last year –  is an easy and secure process that enables residents to join…

February 14 is not only Valentine’s Day but also National Donor Day, which serves as a reminder of the importance of discussing with your loved ones the life-saving possibilities of organ and tissue donation. Shelley Snyder Executive Director, Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust For Life Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates stated:  “We hope everyone will use National Donor Day as a time to discuss organ and tissue donation with those closest to you.  Together, through spreading the word and educating others…

Louisville, KY. November 12, 2019, Every November, Donate Life America leads the country in observing National Donor Sabbath, a three-day observance that provides faith leaders an opportunity to bring the Donate Life message and cause of organ, eye and tissue donation to their congregations and communities. National Donor Sabbath seeks to include the days of worship (Friday-Sunday) for faith communities of major religions practiced in the United States. This year, National Donor Sabbath will be celebrated on November 15-17th.  During National Donor Sabbath, communities of faith participate in services and programs to educate their members about the need for donation, the generosity of the gift and the importance of registering one’s decision to be an organ,…

Student groups across Kentucky will be participating in the 2019 High School Challenge sponsored by Kentucky Circuit Court Clerk’s Trust for Life (TFL) and Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA).   The participating high school groups can win prize money and individual students can apply for scholarship opportunities.  “The Donate Life 2019 High School Challenge is a chance for Kentucky students to learn about the importance of organ, cornea and tissue donation, along with sharing that message with others in their schools and…

Joyce Cantrell, a Morgan County native, has a sweet smile that makes you feel so comfortable. Unfortunately, the worst of health problems affect even the best of people. Joyce spent several years battling congestive heart failure and arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat. To overcome each hurdle, she tried a variety of treatments and medicines, even a pacemaker defibrillator implant.  In late 2017, Joyce had arrived at Central Baptist Hospital for pacemaker surgery. After preparation, she was waiting patiently to be taken…

A grandfather to five and Morgan County resident, Everett Gibbs loves to spend time with his family! However, for nearly the past eight years, that quality time has dependent on dialysis and two kidney transplants. Everett received both transplants at the University of Kentucky Hospital, the first in 2010 at 57 years old and the second in 2019 at 66 years-old. Before March 10, 2010, Everett spent a long two years and four months depending on dialysis treatment. After waiting…

In December 2014, I fell ill with sepsis, as a result of having had strep throat. My organs had already started shutting down, so I was life-flighted to St. Thomas West in Nashville, TN. There, I spent 73 days in a medically induced coma, hooked to countless machines, fighting for my life. The infection attacked my heart, lungs, and kidneys. I recovered but was far from being normal. I spent one month at a rehabilitation hospital learning to walk again…

  I was diagnosed at 23 y/o with PKD. Over the years we just watched and waited. I switched nephrologists in 2015 or 2016 to U of L Nephrology. They were very PROACTIVE advocates. I was not on dialysis yet, but the goal was to help me before I needed it. I was put on the list October of 2017 and my friends and family began testing. I found out in March that my aunt was a perfect match and…

  As a parent, there are always milestones in the lives of our children marking important life events. The many firsts: learning to crawl, and then walk, starting kindergarten, losing the first tooth, and then entering middle school, high school, college and beyond. These milestones are significant markers in the lives of our families. My husband and I look on the milestones of our three boys with a joyful reminiscence for those we have experienced and joyful anticipation for those…

Cynthia is a mother of 3 boys and a dedicated wife to her husband of 35 years.  3 years ago their lives were hectic, as you can expect in a family of 5, but nothing prepared them for what was on the horizon.  One day Cynthia was scheduled to go to her doctor’s office because she was experiencing some yellowing of the eyes.  She didn’t think much of it, as she had no pain anywhere else and was otherwise, completely…