Mrs. Sudie Hilliard

Testimonial

As her 14-year-old son lay dying from a head injury after falling from a school auditorium catwalk three years ago, Sudie Hilliard sat in the hospital waiting room thinking. The African-American youth who had led the school band's percussion section ``was so young and vibrant and active and agile,'' Hilliard said recently, recalling her thoughts that day in November 1991. ``His life hadn't even begun. There must be some way to preserve him, all his vitality.'' Then Hilliard made up her mind: She would donate her son's body for organ transplants. ``Are you sure?'' asked the minister beside her. So did the nurses. They cautiously urged Hilliard to take 24 hours to think it over. But her mind was made up. ``I felt very comfortable doing it,'' she said. Most African-Americans,...Read More

Craig Shields

Testimonial

I remember feeling an odd sense of calm on January 27, 2004, the night before my kidney transplant surgery. I also felt a sense of guilt. I was in a hospital room eating pizza while my sister Rhonda was next door on a liquid diet. However, her resolve was strong and she was committed to seeing me through this.  She was great! She volunteered to donate her kidney to me. I can still remember the 3-way call with her and my sister Lynn. "Craig, we just wanted you to know that if our kidneys are a match then,...Read More