Baptist Health Corbin hosts Donate Life flag raising ceremony

May 9—CORBIN — In spite of the dreary Wednesday afternoon weather, Baptist Health Corbin held an indoor version of their Donate Life flag raising ceremony.

The ceremony honored organ donor Kari Doctor and recipient Monica Mefford.

To begin the event, interim president of Baptist Health Corbin Matthew Bailey spoke.

In his speech, Bailey urged the audience to consider becoming organ donors, citing the incalculable benefit one can bring unto another by prolonging their life.

Bailey also thanked the staff at Baptist Health Corbin for remaining committed to their duties as health care providers and for promoting the Donate Life campaign.

Subsequently, Reverend Alice Tremaine introduced organ donor Kari Doctor, who donated her kidney.

Doctor and Mefford occasionally interacted on Facebook, discussing fashion.

Doctor saw Mefford posting about her need for a new kidney, and she took it upon herself to be tested to see if she was a match for Mefford.

Doctor had recently lost 75 pounds and received clean lab work, so she was hopeful that her kidney would be acceptable.

Unfortunately, Doctor's kidney was not a match for Mefford.

However, upon learning more about the organ donation program, Doctor realized that she could become what is known as a "Paired Organ Donor." In this role, Doctor had the opportunity to donate her kidney to someone who was a match. In exchange, Mefford was given a priority status for her transplant, which saved her approximately five years in time and possibly her life.

Doctor donated her kidney to a young man in California who was in dire need; and Mefford received her new kidney soon thereafter.

Through Doctor's generosity, two lives were improved significantly and possibly saved.

Three months have passed since Doctor donated her organ and she has recovered well.