Texas Health Fort Worth ceremony honors organ donors, recipients who saved lives

MJ Patrick suffered seven years of dialysis, chemotherapy, three brain aneurysms, died and was resuscitated back to life — all while waiting on the kidney transplant list. 

She was finally notified of the possibility for her life-transforming organ donation through Facebook Messenger. 

Patrick’s neighbor, who sent the Facebook message, then called. Her 29-year-old daughter had recently died and she wanted Patrick to receive her kidneys.

“That was Monday morning, and by Monday night, my doctor’s assistant called and said, ‘Get to the hospital,’” Patrick said. 

In honor of the end of National Donate Life Month, Patrick was honored along with other organ, eye and tissue recipients and donors at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth’s annual Wall of Life Ceremony on April 29.

Names of those who donated or received transplants at Texas Health Fort Worth in 2024 were revealed on the digital Wall of Life located inside the Richardson Lobby. The digital wall provides an interactive experience, photos and additional information about every organ donor and recipient.

“Each of them deserves to be honored and recognized,” Jared Shelton, president of Texas Health Fort Worth, said. 

In 2024, 24,000 donors saved or healed lives across the United States, Shelton said. Around 7,000 came from living donors while about 17,000 were from donors who had recently died. 

“One donor can save up to eight lives,” Shelton said. 

Shelton highlighted that Texas Health Fort Worth performed more living donor surgeries in 2024 than at any point in the history of the hospital’s transplant program. 

One name is added to the transplant list every eight minutes, he said, and across the U.S. 13 people die every day because an organ was not available to them. There are more than 100,000 people on the national transplant waiting list, with over 92,000 of those waiting for a kidney, according to the American Kidney Fund. 

April is a time to reflect on the power of one to affect so many, said Dr. Yolanda Becker, vice president and chief medical officer of LifeGift, a health services organization for individuals needing organ transplants in Southeast, North and West Texas.

“This decision turns grief into hope for so many. This one decision gives the most priceless gift — time,” Becker said. “Your loved one’s legacy lives on in every heartbeat, in every breath and every step taken by the people they helped.”

Shelton also highlighted the artwork for the original Wall of Life, created by Fort Worth artist Rebecca Low. The wall serves as an ever-present reminder that organ and tissue donation is not just a journey for the donors and recipients, but for their families as well, Shelton said. It reflects the beauty of giving life and restoration, he added. 

Dr. Eric Siskind, transplant surgeon with Texas Health Surgical Specialists and surgical director of the Kidney Transplant Program at Texas Health Fort Worth, told the Report that, on average, patients who get a transplant live longer and healthier lives than patients on dialysis.

“It’s a huge benefit,” Siskind said. “We want to give everyone the opportunity of a transplant, but there are just not enough kidneys to go around.”

Prospective kidney donors typically have a range of concerns, Siskind said, such as misconceptions about fertility or their future health. 

“We do extensive testing on donors,” Siskind said. “If there’s anything that might be unsafe with them donating, we don’t let them do it.”

Potential organ donors who are on the fence should call the Kidney Transplant Program, Siskind said. They can have questions answered and get connected to previous living donors so they know what to expect. 

Patrick had a relentless journey with polycystic kidney disease before her transplant on Oct. 22, 2024.

“You can never, ever give up. Dialysis sucks, but it’ll be OK,” Patrick said. “Keep going, because there’s always a plan and there’s always a sun shining somewhere.”

Patrick is still adjusting to her new life six months out. Dietary restrictions, changing medicines, bladder adjustments and a healing brain are just some of the hurdles she’s faced while recovering. 

She persisted. 

Now even the little things bring her joy.

“I never thought I’d be so excited about peeing,” Patrick said. 

Kathryn Miller is a reporting fellow at the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at [email protected]. 

Disclaimer: Texas Health Resources is a financial supporter of the Fort Worth Report. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

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