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Craig Johnson

“At my sickest, I was using a walker, sometimes a wheelchair. I was going into the hospital every couple of weeks, slipping into a coma sometimes, and getting weaker after each stay.”

Craig Johnson is a walking, talking example of thankfulness. These days, you will often find him volunteering for any of a number of organizations (including Donate Life Northwest!) or walking in charity walks. But before April 14, 2013, that wasn’t the case. From a “normal” life of spending part-time working as a tax preparer and spending his free time on the golf course and the hiking trail, suddenly Craig found himself with a non-functioning liver—sick and exhausted.

“At my sickest, I was using a walker, sometimes a wheelchair. I was going into the hospital every couple of weeks, slipping into a coma sometimes, and getting weaker after each stay.”

A year and a half of waiting wore on Craig and his family. Their lives revolved around Craig’s struggle to survive, his many doctors’ appointments, and waiting on “the call.” Craig was tired of being sick when the call finally came one April morning at 4:30 AM. Relieved that his illness would soon be over, Craig and his family rushed to Oregon Health & Science University for the transplant surgery.

Craig says, “I am living today because an organ became available. I am not sure how much longer I could have gone on. I am forever thankful!”