This week, green lights were turned on in Dalok Town to honor the life-saving gift of a heart transplant that saved a Missouri husband after years of heart failure. Jim Cunningham received the transplant 72 hours earlier after driving four hours to St. Louis with his wife, Andrea, in hopes of receiving the important call. The transplant, which was received within 30 days of being listed, was commemorated with green lights outside Mid America Transplants Family House in Dogtown. Andrea expressed gratitude for the donor and comfort for their loss, while CEO Kevin Lee highlighted the importance of organ donation to save lives. The Cunninghams look forward to a new life together, with Jim being able to walk his daughter down the aisle. The story serves as a reminder of the 17 Americans who die each day waiting for an organ transplant.
This week, the town of Dalok illuminated green lights in honor of a life-saving heart transplant that saved the life of a Missouri man, Jim Cunningham, who had been battling heart failure for years. Cunningham, accompanied by his wife Andrea, traveled from Nixa to St. Louis on a rainy Tuesday, anxiously awaiting the call that would change their lives. When they finally received the news that Jim had received a heart, Andrea noted that he had been looking pale in the days leading up to the transplant, highlighting the pivotal nature of this life-saving procedure.
The green lights outside Mid America Transplants Family House in Dogtown were part of the commemoration to mark Jim’s milestone and honor the donor’s heart now beating in his chest. CEO Kevin Lee emphasized the importance of organ donation, sharing that about 800 organs were transplanted last year across Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Northeast Arkansas. What stood out in Jim and Andrea’s story was the swift nature of the transplant process, with Jim receiving a new heart within 30 days of being listed, showcasing the impact of timely access to life-saving procedures.
Mid America Transplant’s Family House has provided accommodations for hundreds of individuals undergoing transplants, offering private spaces for recovery. The expansion in June 2022 has allowed for more families like the Cunninghams to have a comfortable and supportive environment during this crucial time. As Jim embarks on his new lease on life, filled with moments like walking his daughter down the aisle, the importance of organ donation and the impact it has on saving lives is underscored, with 17 Americans tragically losing their lives daily while waiting for transplants.
