Gary Class

Years ago, right before Thanksgiving, Gary was planning his own funeral.

“I thought for sure I wasn’t going to make it,” he said.

Now every Thanksgiving, Gary is more than grateful for the family that said yes to organ donation and allowed him to live again. “Just walking across the room was a chore for me, but since my liver transplant, I get to chase my grandchildren and be with my children and wife,” he said.

Gary attended his first transplant patient meeting at the University of Kansas Hospital just two days after his transplant, and he continues to be involved with the group. During the holidays, he often takes advantage of his likeness to Santa Claus, delivering decorated trees to transplant patients awaiting or recovering from lifesaving transplants at KU.