Recipient Stories Archives - Page 4 of 5 - LifeShareOK

The Little Red Heart: More Than a Symbol

Oklahoma advocate for organ donation now hoping for his own second chance For lifelong Oklahoman Virgil Bonham, of Kingfisher, the transplant journey is a reminder of the impact one decision can make to shape your future – and potentially save the life of another. Each year, thousands of new drivers are asked a very important

LifeShare Completes First Organ Perfusion Flight Using OrganOx Technology

Milestone expands access and safety in organ transplantation LifeShare Oklahoma reached a major milestone in its organ perfusion program, completing its first successful flight transporting a liver for transplant being actively perfused using the OrganOx metra device. LifeShare Oklahoma is the statewide nonprofit organization responsible for organ and tissue donation, which previously made history as the first in

A Mother’s Love Continued Through the Gift of Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation

Sapulpa woman’s life of compassion and service honored through donation Throughout her life, Cherie Murphy of Sapulpa, Okla., was fun-loving, patient, and profoundly dedicated to her family and community. Cherie brightened every room she entered, turning everyday activities into beautiful memories for her family. Her son, Jared, recalled his favorite moments from his childhood; his mother opening all the

Tom Stamp, Lung Recipient

After being diagnosed with an incurable disease his doctors could not explain, Tom Stamp, of Oklahoma City, knew he was running out of time. That is, until a lung transplant gave him a second chance at life. At 62, Tom learned he had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that causes scar tissue to

LifeShare Awarded Achievement of Excellence

In 2025, LifeShare embarked on a Journey to Excellence, identifying areas for growth, improvement, and increased efficiency. The team hosted Oklahoma Quality Foundation examiners to evaluate the organization’s systems, operations and processes. We are pleased to share that LifeShare Network was awarded the Level 5 Oklahoma State Award for Performance Excellence, the highest recognition in

LifeShare Network Celebrates 40 Years of Saving Lives and Inspiring Hope

LifeShare Network, Oklahoma’s only federally designated, nonprofit organ procurement organization, proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of honoring the legacy of donor heroes and transforming the lives of all those impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation. Founded in 1986, LifeShare has grown to be a nationally recognized leader in donation and transplantation services. Over the past 40

Recipient Stories

Transplant Recipient Pays it Forward After Receiving the Gift of Life

Karen Hoyt, of Tulsa, Okla., lives her life in honor of the stranger who gifted her a second chance at life. Now, an active community volunteer, she encourages those in need of that same gift. Karen lives every day with a grateful spirit and the heart to be an encouragement and motivation to others. She

August 25, 2017 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Ultimate Act of Kindness: Oklahoma Woman Donates Kidney to Her Best Friend

The act of giving without expecting something in return is the true definition of kindness. One Oklahoma woman demonstrated the true definition of kindness and became her best friend’s hero. Alexa Kehl, of Moore, Okla., was diagnosed with diabetes when she was just 9 years old. Several years later, both of her kidneys were shutting

July 25, 2017 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Becoming Fearless

Like most toddlers, two-year-old Baylor Andrews, of Oklahoma City was full of life. She liked to sing, dance, and enjoy time with her family while she flaunted her bold personality. Early in 2017, Baylor’s parents, Bryant and Alyssa, noticed Baylor had a loss of appetite. Like a growing toddler, she had been eating non-stop, and

March 4, 2017 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Karen, Liver Recipient

Karen Hoyt, of Tulsa, lives every day with a grateful spirit and the heart to be an encouragement and motivation to others. She had always lived a healthy life despite being born with only one kidney. She was active in her community as a volunteer, teacher and Sunday school teacher at her church. In 2010,

January 5, 2017 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Edmond Man to be Honored in Tournament of Roses Parade

Oklahoman to Represent Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation at National Event LifeShare of Oklahoma is honoring Logan Wilke, of Edmond, as a float rider in the 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade on January 2nd. Every year, LifeShare helps sponsor the Donate Life Float in the Tournament of Roses Parade to spread the message about organ,

January 1, 2017 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Kaylee Rayburn, Liver Recipient

Kaylee loves to play tennis, she’s a member of the NHS, active in her church and just recently received her driver’s license. Enjoying life to the fullest, Kaylee is planning to continue her education by attending college and fulfill her dream of helping others. Born with a life ending liver disease, Kaylee was placed on

November 1, 2016 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Amy Tippett, Liver Recipient

Amy enjoys the simple things – green grass in the spring and the birds sweet song in the trees. She doesn’t take any moment of life time for granted, but appreciates each and every breath she takes. A few years ago Amy wasn’t sure she would be alive today. After struggling with liver failure, she

October 4, 2016 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Heart Transplants Save Lives of Father and Daughter

LifeShare is celebrating those who have given the gift of life as well as those who have received that gift. The Morrison family, of Roff, Okla., has been deeply impacted by the generous gift of donation and transplantation after both a father and daughter (pictured on the right) were in need of a new heart.

April 25, 2016 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Life Made Possible

Lifus Todd, of Lawton, Okla., was born into a military family and was destined to become an officer in the United States Army. He graduated high school from the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, and went on to attend the prestigious West Point Military Academy. Lifus led an active lifestyle, and in addition to

March 13, 2016 No Comments

Recipient Stories

Larry Elliott, Liver Recipient

Seven years ago, Larry Elliott, of Oklahoma City, Okla., had strange turn of fate which caused him to wait for a call that would give him another chance at life. Elliott received a new liver in 2009 that changed the way he lived. Elliott is now preparing to represent the state of Oklahoma in the

January 5, 2016 No Comments