Oklahoma City, OK (September 18, 2025) – Oklahoma City brothers Shannon and Toby King grew up as energetic, fun-loving kids. Both played sports from the time they were four years old, had rigorous workout routines, and joined the Army as young adults. In the early 2000’s, both Shannon and Toby started to have trouble keeping up with their active lifestyles. After being misdiagnosed with asthma multiple times, Toby decided to see a pulmonologist, leading to a diagnosis of a lung disorder called alpha one anti-trypsin (AAT) deficiency. Shortly after, Shannon was told he suffered from the same condition.
AAT deficiency is a rare genetic condition that affects about 1 in 1600 people worldwide. For those with AAT deficiency, the body does not produce enough AAT protein to protect the lungs, which can lead to damage in the form of emphysema, COPD, and even liver problems like cirrhosis. In the years following their diagnoses, the brothers continued to experience deteriorating health, both ending up on oxygen and extremely limited in their day-to-day lives. Following a series of appointments with his pulmonologist, Shannon was the first to be told that it was time to consider a lung transplant.
When he was placed on the transplant waitlist in May 2024, Shannon only had 10% lung capacity. He no longer had the energy to walk or eat, dropping to just 135 pounds in weight and relying on a wheelchair for movement. His mother, Peggy, shared memories of the time leading up to the transplant. “Watching his health decline, especially the last two years, was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure… I was making protein shakes for him because he didn’t have the energy – or the oxygen – to chew even soft foods. This once healthy, active man was now so weak he couldn’t walk from one room to the next.”
His mother, Peggy, shared memories of the time leading up to the transplant. “Watching his health decline, especially the last two years, was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure… I was making protein shakes for him because he didn’t have the energy – or the oxygen – to chew even soft foods. This once healthy, active man was now so weak he couldn’t walk from one room to the next.”
During this same time, Toby was living in San Antonio, Texas, receiving valve therapy in an attempt to close off the deteriorated lower lobes of his lungs. However, the treatment was unsuccessful, and in December 2024, he was told he would need a transplant as well. Toby was listed for transplant just seven months after his brother in January 2025.
Shannon was the first to receive the lifesaving call.
In July of 2024, he had his first attempt at a lung transplant. However, before they could finish the procedure, Shannon’s heart stopped, and he had to be revived on the table. His three brothers all rushed to be by his side, including Toby, who risked the health of his own lung procedure to be with Shannon.
“Shannon kept such a positive attitude and a smiling face,” Peggy said. “He had a doctor stop by his room one day to tell him that he had heard about the ability of positive thinking making a difference in a patient’s life, but for the first time, he had actually witnessed it.”
Thankfully, Toby’s transplant experience went more smoothly than his brother’s. At the time he was listed for transplant, Toby had just 12% function of his lungs. Although he was told it could take up to two years on the wait list, he waited just one month after being listed to get the call. On February 16, 2025, Toby received his transplant, and three weeks later, was leaving the hospital with a second chance at life. Since receiving the gift of life, Shannon and Toby have stayed in touch daily, encouraging and challenging each other to accomplish their goals and maintain their good health.
“They are both so appreciative of the new life they have been given and understand the price that was paid for that new life,” Peggy told us. “They both want to make the most of this precious gift and live a life that is worthy of the sacrifice. They never forget that the wonderful lives they are living now are a result of the most painful day in someone else’s – and they don’t take that lightly.”
To celebrate their second chance at life, the brothers will be participating in the LifeShare Foundation’s Little Red Heart Race, held at Lake Hefner’s Stars and Stripes Park on Saturday, September 20. This annual event raises vital funds to further the Foundation’s purpose to raise awareness of the lifesaving possibilities of organ, eye and tissue donation, provide ongoing support for those touched by donation, and advance research to honor the gift of life.
LifeShare encourages all Oklahomans to register their decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. More than 800 of our neighbors are currently waiting to receive the gift of life, and one donor hero has the ability to save up to eight lives and enhance 75 more.
To learn more about donation and to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor, visit LifeShareOK.org. To learn more about our Foundation and register for the Little Red Heart Race, go to LittleRedHeart5k.org.
About the LifeShare Foundation
The LifeShare Foundation was established to support the activities and initiatives of LifeShare Oklahoma to help save more lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. The Foundation gives those affected by donation an outlet in their donation journey, whether they are a donor family, recipient, recipient family or a community member. The LifeShare Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness, providing ongoing support for those touched by organ donation and advancing research to honor the gift of life.
About the Little Red Heart Run
The Little Red Heart 5K’s mission is to celebrate life, honor those who were donors, pay tribute to those who received, offer hope to those who continue to wait and remember the lives lost waiting for the gift of life. With funds raised from the Little Red Heart events, our Foundation supports the activities and initiatives of LifeShare Oklahoma to help save more lives through organ and tissue donation.
