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Kentuckians Touched by Organ Donation Featured on Kentucky Speedway Racecar

Elaine Phelps with Circuit Clerk Melissa Cardwell and staff.

“Everyone always said she was very small, but mighty.  She was a very loving and caring person,” says Driver Joey Gase, of his mother, on FoxSports before finishing 5th at Talladega this May.  Joey’s mother, Mary Gase, died suddenly from a brain aneurysm, only a few months after Joey’s 18th birthday.  Knowing his mother’s passion and love for life, he made the valiant decision to save lives through organ donation.  In April of 2011, Mary Gase was able to save or heal 66 people.

Driving his No.52 Donate Life Chevy has now become his personal mission to educate the nation about the importance of organ donation.  His car is regularly adorned with the faces of his mother and others who have been touched the Gift of Life. 

On Friday, July 10, the Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust For Life will sponsor 7 inspirational Kentuckians on Gase’s car at Kentucky Speedway.  One honoree is Becky Kain Grimes.  Her daughter, Melissa Wells-Strauss recalls, “In 1993, when my siblings and I were just teenagers, our mother became very ill.  She needed a lifesaving liver transplant.  Thanks to the organ donor program, and the kindness of another family, she received her gift of life.  Our mother was able to live another 21 years.  She saw us graduate, get married, and have children.  We will be forever grateful to our donor family. There will always be a special place in our hearts for what that family gave to ours in their time of loss.  In our mother's passing on November 10, 2014, she wanted to give back. She was able to give to donate tissue and corneas to another family.  It is comforting to know that our mother, Becky Kain-Grimes, will help another family in their time of need.”

            The Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust For Life will sponsor 7 Kentuckians on Gase’s Donate Life Chevy.  The other honorees include Lexi Back, 16 year old heart recipient from Clark County; Elaine Phelps, a kidney recipient from Butler County; and Tracy Watson Patrick, a teacher & double lung recipient from Magoffin County.  The racecar will also feature the photos of 3 heroic donors including David Harrington, beloved Calloway County Attorney.  Stephen Elrod, who saved several lives after passing away in 2009.  Also featured, Micheline Whittaker, who served as Ohio County’s Circuit Clerk and a major advocate for organ donation.  Micheline’s staff at the driver’s license office has added thousands of names to the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry.  After she passed away in 2014, Micheline continued her impact on lives by healing several people through the gift of donation. 

Several other Kentucky donor families and advocates are featured Gase’s car to honor those who gave the gift of life & increase education about the vital need for more registered organ donors to save lives.  Every registered donor gives hope to 123,000 children and adults on the waiting list for a transplant today.  Every Kentuckian can join the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry when they obtain their license or ID at their Circuit Court Clerk’s Office or by joining online today www.donatelifeky.org.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2015 HONOREES 2015 Honorees Featured July 10.pdf

 

Elaine’s Story - Gift of Life Stories Project
I led an active life, traveling, camping, and working with our horses.   Family, friends and community have always been important to me and I still tried to contribute as much as possible. In 2008 I was diagnosed with glomeruli Nephritis.  I was able to continue working as a 911 dispatcher for a while, but in 2010 I became incredibly ill.  I was having to take a lot of medication, which lead me to make the heartbreaking decision to leave the job I loved.  I didn’t feel like I could safely continue dispatching.  I took my retirement and left Butler County E.M.S.
In January 2011 I had to go on Dialysis and went on the organ donor registry.  I did everything I could to stay as healthy as possible.  My motivation was that I wanted to live to have grandchildren. 
On March 31st 2012 the call came from Vanderbilt and the journey began.  Early morning April 1st, surrounded by my family, the transplant took place without any problems.  I was released and came home for my birthday on April 5th. 
I have since had no problems related to the Kidney transplant.  Because someone like you chose to say YES to joining the registry, I have a second chance at life and now, two beautiful grandsons ages 3 and 1 years old.  Organ donation allowed me to meet my grandchildren, and I am forever grateful.   
-Elaine Phelps, Kidney Recipient

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