Thomas Dougall

Type of Donation:          living kidney donor

Age and Location:          Elgin, South Carolina

Donation Date:             

Sponsor:                   Honored by Global Transplant Solutions and Donate Life SC

THOMAS’S STORY

Thomas, a West Point graduate, served for over twenty-two years as an infantryman and judge advocate. To his family, community, and friend, Jo Byrd (kidney transplant recipient), Tom is a quiet and unassuming HERO.

In 2019, Tom heard from his family that their good friend and neighbor, Jo Byrd, desperately needed a kidney transplant. Unbeknownst to Jo, Tom contacted the hospital and started the process of testing to see if he would be a donor match. Jo Byrd had been on the kidney transplant list for over five years and lived through the high expectations and dashed hopes of over 20 candidates’ failed matches. Tom asked all involved not to mention his testing to Jo to prevent another unmatched donor letdown for her. When the hospital called and gave him the good news, he visited Jo’s home and told her the wonderful news that he was a perfect match!

The living donor kidney transplant was a success and gave Jo all the opportunities life has to offer, given a second chance. “My recipient, Jo Byrd, is a wonderful lady. I can see her sitting on that float, representing other transplant recipients. She will be a great spokesperson for Donate Life, and I will be grinning from ear to ear, walking alongside her in the parade.” says Tom. Tom continues doing things he loves, like traveling with his wife Wendy, who will also be a walker on the float. He also loves to play tennis and was back on the courts only three weeks after the surgery! Thomas is a Donate Life South Carolina board member appointed by the Governor and is proud to share the good news of the life-saving possibilities of organ, eye and tissue donation for transplantation.