2025 Tour Local Event Honorees for Canyon
Christian Clay – Organ Donor
We all know that person that can light up a room and make everyone laugh. This was my son Christian Clay. He knew how to lead by example and still show everyone compassion and care. Christian was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes at the age of 11.
He strived to learn and take great care of his autoimmune disease. He became a counselor for Camp New Day teaching younger diabetics how to have confidence and take care of this life-long struggle. Christian was always so active and loved the outdoors. There was not a sport he didn’t love. He loved to Snowboard, hike, play basketball, soccer but mostly football. He played football for Caprock High School, holding a record for interceptions. Football and diabetes is a hard combination. There is so much discipline that goes into taking care of diabetes and playing a sport. His dedication led to creating the Christian’s Fighting Heart Scholarship at Opportunity Plan for Caprock HS Students. Diabetes for children is a hard life to manage and because of complications it took him at too young of age.
It’s unbearable to face the loss of a child. It’s also a hard choice to donate a part of your son. It did not come lightly to make these decisions. I knew that my son always wanted to help others and that eventually gave me the answer to help save other people’s lives. Through him 5 other people get a life worth fighting for. I get the gift to know one of them and I thankful for the moments with the kidney recipient Celso.
Scott Ray Cooper – Organ Donor
Scott became an organ donor following a motor vehicle accident in 1997. He was 21 and a machinist at the time of his death. Scott was witty and fun to be around. He loved going to dirt track car races and working on classic cars. His prize possession was a 1969 Chevy Camaro that is still in the family to this date.
Scott was able to donate his pancreas to a 36 y/o man in North Carolina-he had 2 young children at the time and was able to watch them grow up into wonderful adults. His kidney went to a man in Tennessee who was a retired postal worker and fan of old time movies-he and his wife were able to enjoy retirement and do some traveling. Part of his liver went to a 3 y/o girl in Illinois-the last report was that she was doing great (she would have been in high school at that time). His heart made it to Houston, but had an unknown abnormality that rendered it unable to be used. His other organs were damaged during the accident and were unable to be utilized as well.
Scott’s passing was a traumatic event to his family, but donating his organs made it possible to have a tiny glimmer of hope that the recipient families were being given a chance at an improved life. His family was able to meet 2 of the 3 recipients. It was a life altering event for the donor family and the recipients alike. They remain in contact to this day.
Luke McKay – Living Kidney Donor
Just before graduating from college, Luke was receiving an award for some of his research accomplishments, and the Dean, after bragging about Luke’s accomplishments, said Luke’s goal (in his own words) was “To pursue whatever opportunities most empower me to help the greatest number of people that I can.”.
Almost exactly 2 years later, while in his 1st year of medical school, Luke became one of the youngest altruistic kidney donors ever.
“In one of our classes during my first year of medical school, we had a transplant surgeon talk about the technical aspects of organ donation. And, it clicked that I am right across the street from a really good transplant clinic six out of seven days a week, and there’s nothing in my life stopping me from being able to play a part in helping,” says Luke.
Luke’s donation started a 3 person chain. A police officer in San Antonio now has Luke’s kidney, his colleague’s kidney is in a beautiful grandmother, and her son’s kidney is now with another wonderful recipient who needed her 2nd kidney transplant.
Kristen Roberson – Living Kidney Donor
“My name is Cynthia Contreras and I am honoring my daughter, Kristen Roberson, who unselfishly gave me her left kidney. She is 33 and an amazing individual.
After my kidneys failed in 2022 and I was put on dialysis, she started researching how to be a living donor. Kristen persistently called for information on what she needed to do and after all the testing was done, we were a perfect match.
What she did will always have a cherished place in my heart. She is the youngest of my three children and I love her dearly”
Amanda K. Scheffield – Organ Donor
Amanda K Sheffield was born May 5, 1983 in Amarillo Texas and graduated from Amarillo high school in 2002. She worked as a CNA for legacy nursing in rehab, Palo Duro care center in Claude and Mill Creek rehab and nursing in Sillsbee, Texas.
Amanda absolutely loved her job and was very dedicated to the residents she served. In her spare time, she enjoyed being outdoors, especially going to the beach. Amanda had a big heart and loved people. She was a good friend and valued friendships deeply.
Amanda died on August 22, 2023 from an accidental overdose. She was a donor for six different people – three of which we know are doing well today. Amanda left grandparents and six children four grown and two minor who are with their grandmother.
She is deeply missed and would be happy to have blessed others with the gift of life. She loved the Lord and her family is so proud of her.
Jenna Adair – Blood and Organ Recipient
Jenna was born with a genetic disorder that caused kidney failure, and eventually liver failure and loss of her vision. Her first kidney transplant was at age six when her Dad donated one of his kidneys. When she was 17 it was found that she needed a liver transplant and she went on the list. Her transplanted kidney failed in 2008 and she went on the list for a kidney and a liver. She received that gift of life from a young man in 2009.
This life-saving combined liver/kidney transplant allowed Jenna to continue her dreams of college. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Spanish from Oklahoma State and a Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma.
Jenna was a fierce advocate for individuals with disabilities or chronic medical conditions, always ready with a resource to help them navigate their world. She advocated for and helped so many people in her short time here and without her life-saving transplants, she would have been unable to leave this beautiful mark on the world.
Jenna passed away in October of 2024 due to complications of Covid, but we like her legacy to live on by sharing her beautiful story and how she changed lives because of her life-saving transplants.
John Beach – Organ Donor
John’s sister, Jessica, said “Growing up in a small town outside of Chicago, everyone thinks they’re invincible. Registering to be an organ and tissue donor is a given, but it never crosses your mind that this will be an important thing in your life.” Sadly, Jessica and her parents would come to understand the significance of that decision. In 2014, John’s life was cut tragically short at 22 following a motorcycle accident.
John’s mother writes, “Our son, John, was an organ donor in 2014. He lives on in 173 recipients in 22 states and 3 countries. Four of those recipients are from Texas. He donated a cornea, 6 organs including heart, liver, two kidneys and two lungs as well as 166 tissues.
We met Mel Hartman and Carrie Finley at the transplant games in 2024, where we were volunteering as a donor family. We are honored to support Mel and all of the Lone Star Circle of Life athletes in their efforts to raise organ and tissue donation awareness.”
John’s friends shared online that they will remember his contagious smile and his sparkling blue eyes. They will also remember the roar of his bike and the passion he had for riding it.
Nikki and James – Kidney Recipient and Donor
Jimmy’s story:
The day I found out I was in kidney failure was the scariest day of my life. Suddenly, everything changed. I was put on home dialysis, and my wife had to take care of me around the clock. We were stuck at home most of the time, and every day felt heavy with uncertainty. My doctors told me the only real solution would be a kidney transplant.
With that news, my wife and kids immediately went to work searching for a donor. Through it all, my family carried me in ways I can never fully repay. My wife was my rock—she took me to every appointment, made sure I took my medicine, and kept me on track with what I needed to eat. She held everything together when I felt like I was falling apart. My kids encouraged me, lifted my spirits, and reminded me every day why I had to keep fighting.
Eventually, I heard they had found someone—but they wouldn’t tell me who. Instead, they called this mysterious person “Margaret.” They even organized a huge benefit for “Margaret and me.” At that benefit, so many of my kids’ friends stood up and shared what it was like growing up around our family. I was deeply touched, but I still had no clue who Margaret really was. Then, at the end of one of those speeches, the truth came out: “Margaret” was actually Nikki Daniel.
Nikki had been one of my kid’s closest friends for many years. I always knew she was a wonderful young woman, but I had never realized just how deeply she loved our family. In that moment, I was completely overwhelmed. How could someone so young be so brave, so selfless, and willing to step up in such a huge way? That day, I realized Nikki wasn’t just my kid’s friend—she was my hero.
The journey to surgery wasn’t easy. I had to go through more heart tests, and there were setbacks along the way. But Nikki was never discouraged. Every time we faced a new challenge, she would just smile and say, “It’s another mountain we’ll get over.” Her faith and determination carried me through.
Finally, after climbing all those mountains, surgery day came—the day Nikki gave me my life back. I woke up with a second chance, because of her courage and love.
This year we celebrated our six-year “kidneyversary.” I am healthy, I am happy, and I am living life to the fullest—all because of the brave gift Nikki gave me. There are no words big enough to thank her, but I will spend the rest of my life honoring that gift.
Nikki didn’t just give me a kidney. She gave me more years with my wife, more memories with my kids, and the priceless chance to watch my grandkids grow up. Because of her, I get to be here with my family—sharing life’s big moments and all the little ones in between. That is something I can never thank her enough for.
Nikki and James – Kidney Recipient and Donor
Nikki’s story:
Hi, I’m Nikki Daniel, I am married to my best friend, Dustin, and have a blended family of five AMAZING kids Katelyn, Emily, Erin, Brody, and James (ironic right?!)! I met my recipient, James “Jimmy” Hoffman, when I was in 8th grade through his daughter Kayra! I was the “new kid at school” and Kayra instantly came my BEST friend! Her family very quickly became my second family. Sleepovers (I’m pretty sure her mom, Sheila, was afraid I would never leave lol), family dinners, trips, getting in to trouble…wherever Kayra was…I wasn’t far behind! The Hoffman family treated me like I was another one of the Hoffman kids (Sheila actually grounded me once).
In early January of 2019 Kayra posted on Facebook that Jimmy needed a kidney. The second I saw it I text Kayra and said “I will give your dad a kidney!”. Sheila got me in touch with the awesome transplant team at Baylor in Dallas to get the ball rolling.
We kept it a secret from Jimmy until everything was approved just in case it didn’t work out. That is how “Margaret” (the kidney) got her name! Kayra and Sheila both changed my name to Margaret in their phones so if any of us needed to communicate he wouldn’t know it was me! Then, we had a big benefit party in spring of 2019 to help with the cost of Jimmy’s mystery donor and Jimmy’s expenses while recovering from Surgery, that’s when we got to tell him, I was Margret! Everyone that attended the benefit was taking turns telling stories about Jimmy and his family and what they have done for us. Finally, it was my turn and I told Jimmy that “Margaret” was coming from me. It was amazing.
September 17, 2019, was “Margaret Day”!!! To see the transformation in Jimmy since transplant day has been awesome! He was so sick and so tired…. Now he is back to his old self…going, going, going constantly! I tell people all the time, “I wish I had 1000 more kidneys, I would donate them all!” This has been the most incredible experience and I hope that EVERYONE that is able to donate would! I understand living donation isn’t for everyone but, being an Organ Donor is so IMPORTANT! Jimmy is an incredible man and I am honored that God chose me to give him a second chance!!!
Emerson Kate – Organ Donor
Emerson Kate was born to be a big sister. In her short but beautiful life, she cherished many things, but nothing meant more to her than the title of BIG SISTER. From the moment she first learned she was going to have a sibling, she insisted it must be a little sister. But when her mother, Chelsea, gave her a baby brother instead, Emerson was devastated—so much so that she dramatically threatened to “call the good guys (the police!)” That was, of course, until she wrapped her arms around baby Knox. From that moment forward, her heart was his. It quickly became nearly impossible to get her to let him go. She adored him so deeply that she would even climb into his bouncer beside him, just to comfort him if he made the slightest peep. Protecting and loving Knox became her mission in life.
As the years passed, her love for Knox never wavered, but she never stopped asking for a little sister. Finally, her greatest wish came true—she was going to have one! This time, though, Emerson had even bigger expectations. Simply meeting her sister after she was brought home wouldn’t be enough—she wanted to be there, front and center, from the very beginning. On delivery day, she made sure she was among the very first faces her baby sister, Ellison Klaire, saw. Emerson gave Ellison her first bath and even pushed her out the doors of the hospital. For nearly two weeks after, Emerson rarely let baby Ellie out of her arms. Everyone else had to wait their turn, as though Emerson instinctively knew she needed to soak up every possible moment with her baby sister.
Then, in the blink of an eye, tragedy struck. Just two short weeks after Ellie was born, Emerson suffered a sudden and severe anaphylactic allergic reaction while eating lunch at school. Despite the extraordinary efforts of many, her little body could not recover.
Emerson came from a family filled with heroes—firefighters, police officers, and first responders—brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving others. But to Emerson, two stood above the rest: her grandparents, retired firefighter Mark Kroger and retired Fire Captain Carole Kroger. Known lovingly as Honey and Poppy, they were not just her grandparents, but her champions, her role models, and her biggest heroes.
So, it was no surprise that Emerson, too, became a hero. Through the gift of organ donation, she saved the lives of many. While her family does not know every person touched by Emerson’s legacy, one recipient in particular has become a blessing in their lives. Jeff Jernigan, a kind-hearted local man, received one of Emerson’s kidneys. In turn, he has become a dear friend to the family and honors her memory every day by living his life with gratitude and purpose.
Emerson Kate is deeply missed—her laughter, her love, her big-sister heart. Yet, her family takes comfort in knowing that her spirit lives on through the precious gift of life she gave to others. She was, and always will be, a hero.
Jeff Jarnagin – Organ Recipient
Jeff Jarnagin, an actor from Amarillo, Texas, has faced life’s toughest challenges with resilience and hope. In 2016, he was diagnosed with Stage III cancer and End Stage Renal Failure, beginning chemotherapy and dialysis at the same time. He beat cancer in three months but had to remain cancer-free for five years while continuing dialysis before becoming eligible for a kidney transplant.
In June 2022, Jeff received his first transplant, but complications forced its emergency removal just four days later. After months of healing, he was placed back on the list. Then, in January 2023, his life was changed by a profound gift: 10-year-old Emerson, who had tragically passed away, became his kidney donor through a direct donation from her family.
Jeff calls it a “beautifully tragic story” and honors Emerson’s legacy with gratitude, sharing their story and the hashtag#ThanksEmerson as a tribute to the little girl who gave him a second chance at life.
Student Organ donation Advocates (SODA)
Student Organ Donation Advocates, or SODA, is a nonprofit organization that inspires and supports student-led donation education and registration efforts on high school, college, and graduate school campuses. There are currently over 115 SODA chapters throughout the United States, including five in LifeGift’s donor service area.
- Amarillo High School’s SODA chapter was started in 2022 and has expanded their outreach to include an annual blood drive at their school. They raise awareness of organ, eye, and tissue donation every day on their campus and educate fellow students with every opportunity they get! Their members also attended HopeFest and gave a helping hand to the Texas Tech SODA members with bracelet-making.
- Randall High School’s SODA chapter was started in 2024. Centered around their school’s Health Science Technology department, their mentors have hosted LifeGift’s community engagement specialist in speaking to their students each year and their members have also hosted several awareness events on campus.
Patrick Geremy Garcia – Organ Donor
Patrick Geremy Garcia (a.k.a. P-Dawg, P) was called by the Lord September 18, 2025. He was born in 1980 in Amarillo, Texas. He attended Oak Dale Elementary, Bowie Middle School and was a member of the Class of 1999 at Caprock High School.
He loved being a Caprock Longhorn. He was member of the Football and Wrestling teams. After high school, Patrick earned his license and became a hairstylist for many years. There he met countless friends and acquaintances. He loved to debate about his beloved Texas Longhorns, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Cubs and Dallas Cowboys.
Patrick also had a daughter named Ava, who he was very proud of and who he loved. Recently, he had taken a position at Pacific Cheese where he was promoted to a Quality Control Inspector. He had a love for life, music, family and friends. He was always smiling, laughing and having a good time. He will truly be missed by all who he had encountered in life.
The Moberley Family – Donors and Recipients
The Moberley family is a wonderful example of how transplantation saves lives. They have been impacted by several aspects of donation – bone marrow, tissue and organ.
Pete and Brandi:
Pete Moberley was diagnosed in 2021, with an autoimmune primary Biliary Cirrhosis which caused a secondary autoimmune disease – autoimmune hepatitis. When he began dating Brandi six years later, he told her about his autoimmune disease, but he was very healthy and had it under control. About 3-4 months later, Pete’s bilirubin spiked to 25 and he was hospitalized. This had not happened before and he was unsure what this meant for his the future since there was no cure for his autoimmune disease.
Brandi says, “After visiting Pete in the hospital, I began researching his disease. During my search, I came across a video of a living liver donor telling her story. I knew that minute why God put me in Pete’s life. This was my purpose and he was going to use me in a mighty way.
I asked Pete if he knew that someone could donate a portion of their liver to him and he said he had never heard of that. From that point on, I would tell him that someday he is going to have mine. HE THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY!
Thanksgiving 2020, I gave Pete Covid and it almost killed him. He survived Covid but it had completely wrecked his liver. The doctors started getting him on the transplant list.
Tweo months later, I applied on the Baylor Scott & White website for living organ donation without Pete’s knowledge. I told him days after that I had applied and so did others.
Everyone else received letters in the mail stating that they were not a match for Pete, but I did not. Instead, I got a voicemail with our transplant coordinator telling me they wanted to do further testing on me in Dallas. I had been praying the entire time for God to give me peace if this is what he is using me for and he did.
Pete finally agreed to letting me continue through the process although it was hard for him to accept that I was wanting to help him. He’s a protector and didn’t want anything to happen to me. April 26th 2021 as the surgery date. “
Pete and Brandi got married the next January and both are currently doing very well. Brandi is a Family Engagement Specialist with LifeGift.
Madison Moberley:
Madison is Pete’s daughter and was born with tetralogy of Fallot, a heart defect. She has undergone three open heart surgeries since she was diagnosed. In 2020, Madison had a heart valve replacement with a donor heart valve. She is now 25 years old and doing very well.
Terry Moberley:
Terry is Pete’s father. Last June, Terry was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. After a seven month stay at M.D. Anderson Hospital, he received a bone marrow transplant from and anonymous donor. He is in remission today.
Brandi Moberley says, “In the span of five years, our family has had three life saving transplants. Both living and deceased donors made this miracle happen and we are forever grateful for this saving mission. I wouldn’t have my family without these beautiful gifts and acts of Kindness.”
The Moberley family is a wonderful example of how transplantation saves lives.
The LeGrande Family – Living Organ Donors, Organ Recipients, Blood Donors and Super Supporters
LSCOL Team rider, Melanie Hartman writes:
Carrie LeGrande Finley – “When I began treading the waters of organ donation about 22 years ago, my sister Carrie had been there every step of the way. She drove me countless miles to and from doctors appointments (the transplant center was over six hours away), set with me through numerous consults and surgeries and she continues to do the same for me today, but now we take trips to the Transplant Games. She was instrumental in filling out paperwork to even being tested to see if she was a match for me. Carrie has been involved with each side of organ donation. She has been a PICU nurse for over 27 years and has cared for patients and their families on each side of organ donation. She is compassionate and loving to all. Since my transplant, she has attended numerous Transplant Games to not only cheer me on, but the entire transplant community. She is the rubber band that keeps us all together.
My brother, Randy LeGrande, is also a transplant hero. He was my living kidney donor who gave me the gift of life. Since transplant, I have been able to accomplish many goals that I thought were unattainable. I’m an active mom, finished college and enjoy an amazing life with my family and friends.
My sister Peggy LeGrande is not only a blood donor but also a living kidney donor. She was watching th4e track and field at the 2018 transplant games and was inspired to e a donor.
My other sisters Cris LeGrand Sheffield, Janet LeGrande Prichett and Marcie LeGrande Pergeson are regular blood donors, and our mom, Pam LeGrande is the best supporter of all of our adventures!