May 2025 – Midwest Transplant Network

No age limit to becoming a donor hero

May 30, 2025/in

Blog

Clifford and Mary Hammond

May is Older Americans Month and Midwest Transplant Network is sharing this story to illustrate that you are never too old to be a registered organ, eye or tissue donor.

Mary Hammond was always proud of her work as a forensic chemist. She worked on a number of cases, including high-profile cases covered by the media.

Why was being an organ, eye and tissue donor important to Mary?

A life of helping others

“You would have to know Mary,” her husband, Clifford, chuckled. “She would stop young girls all the time and tell them to get an education. She believed all women should have the same opportunities she did. She thought if she could get an education, others could, too.”

Mary and Clifford were married almost 16 years ago. They were both registered as organ, eye and tissue donors long before they tied the knot.

Mary was a caring and giving person and always wanted to help others. At age 75, Mary’s legacy to help others continued after she passed away in 2024. She was able to save two lives with the donation of her liver and kidneys. Her case was unique in that both kidneys went to the same recipient—an 82-year-old female.

Donor heroes

In 2024, MTN helped facilitate organ donations from 28 donor heroes aged 70 to 80, and three donor heroes between 80 and 90 years old. So far this year, five donor heroes aged 70 to 90 have given the gift of hope and shared life.

Melissa Ott, NP-C, Senior Director of Organ Procurement Services at MTN said, “The liver is the most likely organ to be transplanted in individuals over the age of 70.”

What is the one thing people should know about being a registered organ, eye and tissue donor? “You are never too old to save a life through organ donation,” said Ott.

Giving hope and sharing life

“We have a large number of donors over the age of 80,” said MTN Director of Donation Services, Cassie Anthony. “This year alone, 94 tissue and eye donor heroes were between the ages 80-90 years old. Donors in this age range are eligible for bone and dermis donation. Eighty is the maximum age for corneas, so that is also an option at times.”

Last year, MTN had 357 tissue and eye donors between the ages of 70-80 and 138 tissue donor heroes between the ages of 81-90 years old.

What is old age?

The perception of old age can vary greatly from person to person across cultures. Depending on the source, old is defined as when a person is 80 or 85.

This age range is supported in the Harris Poll’s “New Age of Aging” report. While age 60 was considered old in our grandparents’ time, 80 is the median age considered old today.

Reflecting on why it’s important to be a registered organ, eye and tissue donor, Clifford said, “When I see God on judgement day my organs are no longer any good to me. They should go to people who need them.”

Register today

Mary and Clifford’s stories demonstrate that there isn’t an age limit to becoming a registered organ, eye or tissue donor. People of all ages can give hope and share life as a donor hero. You can register at sharelifemidwest.com.

Why I Walk: We Walk to Honor Our Hero

May 20, 2025/in

/by Midwest Transplant Network

Excerpt: Brayden Becerra was well known and loved for many reasons. His greatest gift in life and beyond was being a giver.

Brayden “Chewey” Becerra came from a large family. He had a great smile, a sense of humor and made a tremendous impact on his relatives and friends.

You could see the difference he made to others throughout his life. When he passed in September 2024, more than 1,000 people paid their respects during his honor walk and funeral service.

First Donate Life Legacy Walk

“We are walking at the MTN Donate Life Legacy Walk to create awareness about how important it is to donate your organs and save the lives of others,” said Brayden’s mother, Stephanie Becerra. “God gave us the opportunity to help others and extend their lives.”

Stephanie says her family prays the donor recipient is doing well. “We hope the organ recipient’s family can avoid the pain of losing a loved one with Brayden’s gifts.”

An Immense Pride

The family is proud that Brayden was a registered organ, eye and tissue donor. He joined the registry when he got his driver’s license at 16. “It was 100% his decision,” said Stephanie. “He was a true giver even at that young age.”

Brayden was very close to his siblings Zach and Breanna. “He was a great person and always so giving,” Breanna said. “He took great care of his body and was able to donate six organs.”

What is one thing Brayden’s family wants people to know? “It’s never too late to become a registered organ, eye and tissue donor,” said Stephanie. “He was a donor hero, and this is the kind of man his family and friends will remember him being.”

Donate Life Legacy Walk is June 7

Midwest Transplant Network invites you to join us for our annual Donate Life Legacy Walk on June 7, from 6-9 p.m. This free community event features a live concert, food trucks with items for purchase, our Tribute Trail honoring donor heroes and transplant warriors, and the opportunity for those impacted by organ, eye and tissue donation to gather together at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Come celebrate the gift of life while helping raise awareness about the importance of registering as organ, eye and tissue donors.

The Donate Life Legacy Walk does not include a formal, timed walking event. Participants are encouraged to walk the Tribute Trail at their leisure. A path is lined with Tribute Trail signs, giving donor and recipient families the opportunity to stroll the site in celebration and remembrance.

Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MO/KansasCity/MTNLegacyWalk

MTN Staff Spotlight: Meet Dr. Partlow, an exclusive Fellow

May 13, 2025/in

Blog,
News

/by Midwest Transplant Network

Dr. David Partlow

Dr. David Partlow is Associate HLA Laboratory Director at Midwest Transplant Network. In March, he became a member of an exclusive group of less than 200 individuals worldwide with the prestigious title of Fellow of the American College of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics F(ACHI).

To earn this achievement, a Director must possess an in-depth understanding of the clinical benefits and limitations of high-complexity histocompatibility testing. They must demonstrate the ability to apply this expertise on a case-by-case basis when working with other clinical professionals. It requires two to four years of full-time post-doctoral laboratory training in an HLA Lab, completion of an extensive case study portfolio, passing the ACHI examination and verbal interview by peers.

Let’s learn more about Dr. Partlow.

Why did you decide to pursue this designation?
To be a high-complexity lab director in this subspecialty you must have certain credentials. This is one of the credentials approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to be qualified as a high complexity lab director in Histocompatibility. There are less than 200 people with this credential.

How would you explain what histocompatibility and immunogenetics mean to a 12-year-old?
It is the part of the body’s immune system, or defense system, that helps the body determine self from non-self. The immune system is like a security team that protects the body. All cells have an ID badge called MHC (Major Histocompatibility Complex).

If a patient receives an organ transplant or bone marrow transplant from another person whose ID badge is different, the immune system (security team) will try to deny entry by attacking it. Essentially, histocompatibility means how well someone else’s ID badge matches yours. The better the match, the more likely your body will accept the transplant without attacking it.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work at MTN?
Being directly involved with patient care in driving the mission in transplantation.

What is a fun fact most people wouldn’t know about you?
I lived in Texas most of my life, but I am a Jersey boy, and I don’t care for country music.

Dr. Partlow joined MTN in November 2021. He has a Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from The University of Texas Medical Branch.

Congratulations, Dr. Partlow! Midwest Transplant Network is proud of your dedication and accomplishment.

Donor Hero, Transplant Warrier, MTN Legacy Walk 2025

Why I Walk: The Annual Walk Means Everything to this Mom

May 7, 2025/in

Blog

/by Midwest Transplant Network

Ryan and Natalie Stoway

The first Saturday in June isn’t just a regular weekend. It’s a day filled with hundreds of people gathering to honor and celebrate the lives of donor heroes, transplant recipients, people who are waiting for a transplant, and many others at the annual Midwest Transplant Network Donate Life Legacy Walk in Kansas City, Missouri.

The event means different things to the people who are walking. MTN Ambassador Alexis Stoway says, “I walk at the Legacy Walk every year for both my children. My daughter, Natalie, is a kidney and a tissue recipient, and my son, Ryan, was a donor hero when he passed in 2021. He was able to donate a tendon and a ligament to his sister, and she received it in her knee.”

After losing her son Ryan, Alexis said she finds her emotions go up and down. “I know that for three hours on that day, during the Legacy Walk, that I’m at peace. It’s amazingly incredible to see the donor hero families celebrating their loved ones, and then you see the recipients also celebrating their second chance, their second chance at life, their second chance at recovery, their second chance at sight. Seeing all of them and everybody from every walk of life, no matter who you are, it doesn’t matter because everybody is there for one reason.”

Part of the team
Who joins Alexis during the walk? “Family, friends, Ryan’s friends, Natalie’s friends, everybody that wants to celebrate. My kids, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends,” she said. “There’s been anywhere from 40 to 70 of us in our group. That’s what we come to do and it’s a place for everybody to be together as one.”

Alexis said it brings a lot of comfort knowing that a donor hero is not forgotten and is still appreciated whether it’s 10, 15 or 20 years down the road. They’re still being celebrated for the gifts they have given.

Her mission
Alexis and her family proudly wear their MTN T-shirts when they are out, or at school and even on vacation. The family is happy to participate in the conversations that start because of their shirts, and the Donate Life green bracelets they wear that honor donors and give hope to those waiting for the gift of life.

“We wore our Give Hope Share Life sweatshirts at Dollywood recently. We were stopped twice by people there. One person was waiting for a liver and thanked us for bringing awareness and for also wearing our green ribbons. Another person had a liver transplant 20 years ago. He had never seen anybody wear anything like that and he was so proud.”

Ryan’s parents and sister join the MTN Legacy Walk every year.

Plan to join us
Midwest Transplant Network invites you to join us for the ninth annual Donate Life Legacy Walk on Saturday, June 7, from 6–9 p.m. at the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. The celebration welcomes donor hero families, transplant recipients, people who are on the waiting list and many more who support the mission of organ, eye and tissue donation.

This year, the live concert features local band Twice on Sunday, several food trucks with snacks and meals for purchase, the MTN Tribute Trail honoring loved ones, and the opportunity to make memories. The walk is in a new spot at the Memorial. Look for us on the south lawn near the entrance. There are lots of trees for more shade, a natural amphitheater and a smaller, cozier space. Please plan to attend and celebrate the gift of life while helping raise awareness about the importance of being an organ, eye and tissue donor. Learn more and register for the Legacy Walk at mwtn.org/legacy-walk

Watch and listen

Take a moment to watch and listen as Alexis tells us why she walks.