Emory Transplant Center Patient Honors the Gift of Life in the 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade

Sherrell’s Road to Transplant

Sherrell Gay married her high school sweetheart, Tony, they bought their dream home in the country and welcomed three children into their world. She retired from nursing to become a stay-at-home mom – a job she took seriously. Sherrell was involved in every aspect of her children’s lives and was active in her church as the organist during services until she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in late 1994. Sherrell’s on-the-go lifestyle took a drastic turn as she no longer had the energy to do everyday tasks – let alone the long list of activities in which she was involved. A sudden cardiac episode at home, with only her children present, changed her life and that of her family.

After eight years of living with a sick heart, and six weeks on the national transplant waiting list, Sherrell received the gift of life – a heart transplant in August 2002. She quickly regained her strength and endurance and resumed her normal activities. She was thrilled to meet her donor’s family five years post-transplant, and they have remained in contact ever since. After 10 years, Sherrell’s heart began to fail due to chronic rejection, which also caused her kidneys to fail. She was reevaluated and listed for transplant again. After 17 months on the transplant waiting list, six of which were spent in a hospital, Sherrell received her second heart transplant and a kidney transplant in December 2012. Because of the young men who became organ donors, Sherrell witnessed the marriages of her three children, the birth of her grandchildren — who lovingly call her “Suga” — and now enjoys RV travel, attending music festivals, and family time.