Hi. My name is Johnny Black. Most of us know of someone who has needed and / or received an organ transplant. I want to share the personal stories of two such people.

The first is Kent who spent over three years waiting for a liver. Unfortunately, it never came and he passed away in February 2007. However, Kent was a giver and from his death came forth blessing for several because he was an organ donor. Kent believed the words Jesus spoke in John 15:13 : "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." In making the decision to be an organ donor, Kent was following the example set in this scripture, saving several lives, and changing others forever.

The second person endured an 11-year battle with heart disease caused by muscular dystrophy. The disease tried hard to take his life. He took numerous medications, underwent countless surgeries, and had several pacemakers and defibrillators implanted to no avail. In October 2006, he was told his last hope was a heart transplant. Without one, he probably only had another year to live. His circulation was so poor his hands and feet were cold and blue. He got short of breath by merely taking a shower or walking from one end of his house to the other. He could not stop coughing. He was dying. Then, on February 21, 2007, he was blessed with the wonderful life-saving gift of Kent's strong, healthy heart. No more cold, blue hands and feet. No more shortness of breath. Instead he is able to be active and do the things he loves, such as deer hunting. That man is ........ ME !! I am living proof that organ donation works, and it's all because a man I never knew cared enough to be a donor and help someone else in need. 

In honor of Kent, I'm headed to the U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, PA July 11-16, 2008 (please see http://www.kidney.org/news/tgames/index.cfm  for more information) where I will compete in both the men's doubles, mixed doubles, and singles bowling tournaments. However, I need your help. The estimated cost per athlete is $1200 and we have to raise our own funds. My men's doubles bowling partner, Jim Crabb, and I received our heart transplants consecutively just three weeks apart at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. My mixed doubles bowling partner, Donnetta Hawkins, is a liver recipient and has previously participated in the Games. Together, the three of us hope to bring some gold medals back to Tennessee to honor and remember our donors.

Will you help me ? With your sponsorship I can go to Pittsburgh (a.k.a. Steeler Country) and win, praise God for my healing, and honor Kent for his life-saving gift. I know $1200 sounds like a lot, but if 120 people will contribute $10 each, the goal will be easily reached. Some can give more, others less. Any amount will help. Once I reach my goal, then anything above and beyond will be used to sponsor other athletes for Team Middle Tennessee. Plus, since the National Kidney Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, your contribution is tax-deductible if you are able to itemize on your 2008 Federal Tax Return.

I know some can not provide sponsorship but I know everyone can pray for a few things regarding the trip : 1) for me as I prepare, and 2) for Todd Greer as he coaches me into a better bowler. He has his work cut out for him. However, Coach Greer keeps reminding me of Phillippians 4:13 which says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me", and I know it is true. 

Thank you again for visiting my fundraising page for National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee! Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

P.S. Joy and I will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary on July 8th, just three days before the Games. It was just about 18 months ago we feared that I would not last that long, and she has stuck with me through all the tough physical struggles. I would love to celebrate that occasion in Pittsburgh, with her, by winning those medals. Will you help me make that happen ?? Please do so today. The fundraising will end June 30, 2008.