Mary Jo – From Help Hope Live

One week ago, we lost a transplant community legend: our dear friend and longtime supporter Mary Jo Lovely.

In 2006, Mary Jo Lovely with diagnosed with emphysema and told that she would need a lung transplant to survive. As her health rapidly began to decline, Mary Jo, her husband, Ken Lovely, and her daughter, Danielle Bailey, waited, watched, and endured.

In June 2007, Mary Jo got the call she had been waiting for, and she received her gift of life. Instantly, Ken, Mary Jo, and Danielle decided to use their family’s incredible gift to give back to others. They established the Transplant Alliance Foundation, pledging to use their time and talents to raise awareness of organ donation and funds to bolster campaigns and nonprofits that brought hope to transplant families.

Mary Jo, Ken, and Danielle proudly partnered with Help Hope Live, not only to endorse our nonprofit as a transplant fundraising resource but also to provide direct financial relief to local clients.

“It’s through our connections with the community that we learned of the financial need that so many others have. It is our hope to provide funding to people waiting for or healing from a transplant.” -Mary Jo

Mary Jo, Ken, and Danielle received our Help Award in 2019 for their efforts.

Ken shared these thoughts about Mary Jo’s life and legacy:

“She was living proof organ donation works. I feel like the luckiest man in the world: I met the woman of my dreams, who taught me about love, life, and organ donation.

If you are not an organ donor—please consider it. Life is short, love is wonderful, and you need to celebrate life every day: a well-learned lesson from my wife.” #hopeis