Coy Howry, pastor at Lovelady, Ada
ADA—The Christmas season is all about giving, helping others and community. In early November, the Lovelady congregation united to personify this spirit and assist their pastor, Coy Howry, in answering a dire medical need.
Howry has several medical issues, one of which is the need for a life-saving kidney transplant. To help offset some of the medical bills, the church members held an auction benefit event. Some of the items auctioned off included a fifth wheel RV, a fishing trip for four, a signed football, a boat and more.
The event, held on Nov. 8 at Wild Rose Place event center, saw many from the community attend to support Howry.
“I’m very thankful and I’m very humbled,” Howry said. “We sure appreciate what people have done.”
He said that because of his health history, doctors believe a transplant from a deceased donor would be too risky. Howry would need a living donor with no history of significant kidney disease, heart disease, stroke or cancer.
The donor and the recipient do not have to be a direct match, and Howry may still be able to receive a transplant through programs like kidney paired donation (KPD). Howry’s insurance will pay the total amount of the donor’s medical bills related to the donation, but not the donor’s lost wages.
Anyone interested in being a live donor for Howry can visit the Integris Health Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute website to research the matter and apply for living donor eligibility.
Doctors will look through the information to determine viable candidates. Those who are will be sent a packet of information.
Howry said if someone wants to be a live donor, and they are eligible to donate but are not a match with Howry, the Integris Transplant Center will crossmatch them with someone else who is on the waiting list who they match. Then, Integris would crossmatch someone else with Howry.
