Jasy's Journey
The Journey:
In October of 2020, Jasy Donald, a radiant 14-year-old (now 18) residing in Six Mile, SC was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure. Just one week prior, this beautiful, athletic, kind-hearted teen who loves Jesus was actively playing her favorite sport, volleyball, for Daniel High School. Since then she endured nightly dialysis of 12 hours for a year, 14 surgeries, painful days and nights, isolation, and lengthy hospital stays. And through it all, Jasy shined the light of Jesus to others in everyone she met.
Miraculously, after near death in April 2021 she was medically airlifted to Medical University of Charleston with her heart only functioning less than 10%. However, God wasn’t done with her story yet! After getting her body healthier and ready to receive her new kidney, she got a call in October 2021- God provided Jasy a new kidney. Not just any kidney either, a perfect kidney! Jasy left the hospital with her one kidney working better than most people’s two kidneys! Not knowing at the time who her Angel kidney donor was, she named him "Charlie”. Jasy's recovery has gone so well! She is getting stronger every day and shining for Jesus even brighter. She is now a Senior at Daniel High School, where she is soaring academically and even played her senior season of Volleyball! Jasy loves volleyball and up until the day of her diagnosis, had been an active participant in local club volleyball teams and events.
At JJVT 2022, Jasy and her new kidney (named Charlie) joined in the action. It was awesome to see Jasy playing volleyball again. Her team name? Charlie's Angels of course! She had such a good time playing with her team and supporting all the teams in attendance. It was a blessing in itself seeing her able to enjoy the sport that she loves so much!
In 2023, Jasy met Ben's family for the first time. We all met his precious family and hugged their necks as we thanked them again, this time in person for the selfless gift that they bestowed upon Jasy. We have prayed specifically for this even before we knew who Jasy's donor would be. It was a day we will never forget!
More details about this year's event…
As Jasy was at MUSC after her kidney transplant, she laid in bed and jotted down details of a ministry that she wanted to start. “The Son in the Storm”, she named it. Since then she has mailed out care packages to many hospital patients and their families with sweet thoughtful items to bring them comfort and a little joy during their hard times. In 2022, the second annual JJVT raised money specifically for her ministry! She has sent numerous packages in the last two years all over the state of SC and hopes to spread it into other states as well! This year (like 2023), she would like to send half of the proceeds of JJVT to her donor Ben's ministry-BBBM! Before the 21 year old, NC State University Senior passed, he was passionate about helping others, especially the homeless. When Ben passed, he helped save the lives of 5 people by continuing his giving nature. One of those recipient's sister in law, started the “Bens Brown Bag Ministry”, which is a non-profit ministry that supports the efforts of organizations combating homelessness and food insecurity. They also serve those living on the street. Their mission is two-fold: To provide simple bag meals and basic necessities to those in need, homeless or otherwise. And, to bring hope, encouragement and joy through human connection. Both of these ministries are serving others two fold… giving necessities to survive- physically and spiritually. This could only be written by the true Author, our Lord and Saviour.
(This was a billboard from 2021. While Jasy is no longer awaiting a kidney, others are still waiting. Please consider saying "yes".)