PATIENT STORY :
LIVING KIDNEY DONOR CLIFTON BOOTH SHEDS LIGHT ON HIS GIFT OF LIFE
Retired after 31 years with the Dothan Police Department , Reeves is now able to enjoy traveling around the country and the world with his wife , Jenny . He never takes that freedom for granted . “ I know my donor ’ s name – their sister lived 20 minutes from me ,” Reeves said . “ The family is part of this process , and when they made the decision that gave me my life , they had just experienced a terrible loss .”
One way that Reeves honors his donor is by serving as an ambassador for transplantation . He raises money for the Alabama Kidney Foundation by participating in its annual Kidney Walk celebration , and he speaks at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dothan each year , sharing his experiences when he was waiting for a transplant .
In addition , Reeves is an avid participant in the Transplant Games of America , an event that brings together nearly 10,000 people from the U . S . transplant community to participate in 20 athletic and recreational competitions . “ People participate in swimming , bowling , golf , running , you name it ,” he said . “ To stand next to a runner who received a double lung transplant is mind-boggling .”
The year after his 1998 transplant , Reeves was the only person representing Alabama at that year ’ s Transplant Games , held in Ohio . In 2024 , the Transplant Games will be held in Birmingham July 5-10 , and Reeves is working on the Steering Committee to help ensure that the event is a success .
Reeves also attends the annual Celebration of Life Picnic , which is sponsored by Legacy of Hope , Alabama ’ s organ procurement agency . Held at UAB in April of each year , the picnic celebrates transplant recipients , living donors , donor families , and supporters . “ Everybody has a story ,” Reeves said . “ It ’ s up to us to live the best life we can after transplant . That ’ s what our donors and their families would want for us .”
PATIENT STORY :
LIVING KIDNEY DONOR CLIFTON BOOTH SHEDS LIGHT ON HIS GIFT OF LIFE
Clifton Booth had long considered becoming a living kidney donor , but he wasn ’ t sure it was the right course of action for him . Then , in fall 2017 , he encountered an acquaintance who had been a donor and encouraged Booth to consider it .
“ I called and talked to him and asked him questions ,” said Booth , 47 . “ During the spring , I prayed about it and felt led to it .”
Even as the Trussville , Ala .
Clifton Booth resident took the initial steps to become a donor , Booth wasn ’ t certain . “ When I went to UAB for testing , I noticed there were 73 people signed in to get tested to receive a kidney and only three signed in to donate a kidney ,” he said . “ I understood the need , but I still wasn ’ t sure .”
Booth ’ s hesitance was understandable , in part because his kidney wouldn ’ t be going to a friend , relative , or acquaintance . A stranger would be the recipient of his gift . “ Before I donated my kidney , I was waiting on a sign ,” he said .
One day , Booth slid into the driver ’ s seat of his car and turned on the engine . He never listened to the radio , but his wife had driven the car the night before and left the radio on .
ORGANS – KIDNEY uabmedicine . org / refertransplant 13