In the two years since I was given a second chance at life, approximately 13,000 people have died due to a lack of available organs for transplant. While I am thankful for my chance, I pray others get the needed second chance in order to move on.

Many of you know the story of my illness leading to the need for a lung transplant. Since receiving my transplant, I have had my share of ups and downs – a couple of illnesses have put me back in the hospital, but luckily I’ve been able to fight off the infections with the assistance of modern medicine and some great doctors.

According … Continue Reading

On Feb. 14, while most of the nation dressed up in red or pink to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the employees here at J&P Cycles were sporting green in honor of National Donor Day. As you might know, J&P founder John Parham was the recipient of a donated lung back in August of 2010, and he’s doing quite well, thank you. In fact, you’ll likely not find more grateful or active supporters of organ donation that John and his family.

National Donor Day is a way to highlight the many ways people can help save lives through organ donations, blood donations, marrow drives and tissue sign-up events across the … Continue Reading

Thankful is probably the best word I can use to describe the past 12 months in my life. As many of you know, it was a year ago this month that I received “The Call.” It was the phone call I’d been waiting months for — the message that a lung had been found for me and surgery could be scheduled.

Believe me when I say that when you receive that call, your life instantly changes. Maybe you think you’ve prepared your head for that moment, but when it occurs, a thousand thoughts and questions jostle for position in your brain, and it leaves you spinning. But, I knew that … Continue Reading

This blog entry is very hard for me to write. It deals with the unexpected loss of a child — 11-year-old Nicolas Rogers — and it also deals with the loving gift of life that his parents passed on in his memory. I have a son about Nicolas’ age, and I would be devastated if anything were to happen to my boy. My heart reaches out for the Rogers family for their loss.

On June 22 of last year, Nicolas passed away following complications as the result of an acute asthma attack. A typical 11-year-old, Nicolas was full of energy and life. His father, Kay Rogers, said Nicolas loved motorcycles… Continue Reading

That time of year is upon us – at least for those of us in the Midwest – time to get our motorcycle gear together and get out on the open road. As motorcyclists, we are aware of the danger that comes along with our hobby and because of our hobby, the chance of an accident taking place is greater. Most of us don’t think about what we would do if they unthinkable happened to us or family members, but we should.

Organ donation is such an important topic and one that I am extremely passionate about. In early August of last year, I received a lung transplant. The unselfish … Continue Reading