Kim Perkins

Pancreas Recipient

“I believe that organ donation allows a chance at the joys of life that medically complicated individuals sometimes have taken away. Everyone deserves that,” shared pancreas recipient, Kim.  

“In 2001, during my senior year of college, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. At that time, I was told my life would look very different from the life I had planned. I would have to make decisions based on the limitations of my diabetes, my career plans might have to change, and I was told I should reconsider having children.  

In 2009, I was making the most of my life as a wife, a mom, and a business owner, despite the limitations of diabetes. However, I eventually developed nerve damage in my stomach because of my diabetes. After several years and many hospital visits, it was recommended that I get a whole-organ pancreas-only transplant.  

On June 2, 2013, I received a pancreas transplant from a very generous family and donor hero at Emory University Hospital. Since my transplant, I no longer require insulin, and the nerve damage in my stomach has greatly improved. I can now travel, run my business and enjoy all the activities I want with my husband and son.  

My donor hero was a 16-year-old boy named Johnny, who agreed to donation at his local DMV, and in turn, saved and improved the lives of dozens, including me.  

Through volunteering, I have been given an outlet to give back. It allows me to honor my donor hero’s gift while possibly lessening the wait time for someone else. Ultimately, I aim to dispel the myths surrounding organ donation among all communities by sharing personal stories and experiences alongside the numbers. No two stories are the same, and I learn something every time I interact with someone in the donation community. I want people to understand how quickly organ donation may be vital to them and how positive and hopeful it is for all those involved, both donor families and recipients.”