Knoxville, Tennessee – Kassandra Klemenz, a 28-year-old double lung transplant recipient, successfully completed the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, a 26.2-mile race. Klemenz, who had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, underwent the transplant in January 2019 after her lung function dropped to critical levels. The marathon was a dream come true for Klemenz, who used to be an avid athlete before her condition affected her ability to breathe and move. She hopes to inspire others to become organ donors so that more people can fulfill their dreams.
Tennessee Donor Services (TDS), a nonprofit healthcare organization, reports that over 100,000 people are currently waiting for life-saving organ transplants nationwide. TDS serves nearly six million people in Tennessee, urging individuals to consider the gift of organ donation. Klemenz expressed her gratitude during the marathon, constantly thinking about her lung donor and the life-changing opportunity she had been given. She plans to continue pushing herself and participating in more athletic events, including triathlons and Iron Man competitions in the coming year.
