Shannon Cox

Kidney Recipient

“Until age 43, I was a healthy and active mom, wife and teacher. In 2024, I began experiencing minor sinus and ear infections. On August 31, 2024, I began to feel terrible rapidly throughout the day and decided to go to the hospital. That visit turned out to be a life-saving decision.” shared Shannon, a kidney recipient.  

“I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called GPA that caused organ failure and left me dependent on dialysis for 9 months. In February 2025, I was approved for the kidney transplant list, expecting to wait years for a match. My family, friends and community were so supportive and began looking for a living kidney donor for me before it was too late. Just 8 weeks later, on Easter Sunday, I received the life-changing call that a kidney had been found.  

My donor hero was a brave and courageous man from Tennessee who selflessly made the decision years before to register as an organ donor. When he passed away, his family bravely honored his decision. Because of them, I was given a second chance at life.  

Today, I’m back to living an active life and event completed my first 5K on the one-year anniversary of my transplant. While transplant is not a cure, it gave me hope, renewed purpose and the opportunity to inspire others to register as organ donors and cherish every moment of life.”