Donate Life: Trinity Teacher’s Inspiring Story

By Samantha DePriest

For as long as she can remember, Trinity Art Teacher Erica Hackworth has been friends with Kerri Burke who serves as the All Star Director at The Rock in Peachtree City. Kerri and her husband Phillip just celebrated 29 years of marriage and have 4 children. Erica recalls learning about Kerri’s diagnosis of a genetic illness called Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) when Kerri’s children were little and Erica was their Gymnastics coach. PKD is an inherited disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within your kidneys, causing your kidneys to enlarge and lose function over time. Kerri is not alone in her battle as her Dad and brother also were diagnosed with PKD. Erica immediately felt God tugging on her heart with an eagerness to learn more about how she could help her friend.

Kerri’s illness has progressed over the years and she is now in desperate need of a kidney transplant.  Unbeknownst to Kerri, Erica started researching living donations a while back. Sadly she found out she was not a perfect match for Kerri, however she discovered that she was able to be a part of the Paired Donation Program. The Paired Donation Program is best explained on their website: “For paired donation, donors and their recipients aren't compatible for a transplant. However, the donor of each pair is compatible with the recipient of the other pair. If both donors and recipients are willing, your doctors may consider a paired donation. This program provides a way for people to receive a living-donor transplant instead of being on the deceased-donor waiting list for several years.” The program is at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida where almost 1,000 kidney transplants are performed each year. Mayo Clinic Paired Donation

Earlier this year, Erica underwent months of testing and a long line of questioning before she could move forward with the donation. Erica shared that she felt confident in her decision from day one to donate one of her kidneys and a sense of God’s peace through it all. She shared, “God led me to this decision and when He calls you to help someone - what can you do? It can be as simple as checking a box. As a believer, I can’t let fear be a factor. This is not a story about me, but rather about redemption and how He can make something good out of something horrible.” Erica received the call in September and surgery was scheduled for a few weeks later. Unfortunately, Hurricane Ian was bearing down on the state of Florida and her surgery had to be moved. On October 5th, Erica underwent surgery to remove one of her kidney’s. She spent a little over a week in the hospital and was back to school a few weeks later. When asked how she was feeling now, Erica smiled and said she is officially part of the “One Bean Club”, as kidney’s are bean shaped organs about the size of a fist located below the rib cage, and is feeling better each day.

Erica’s kidney was transported immediately up to the Northeast to a male who now has a 2nd chance at life. Kerri shares “Erica did the most amazing thing you could do for someone and she never hesitated. She is truly the most selfless and giving person I know. She never wavered in her decision, not for one second.” Because of Erica’s decision to participate in a Paired Organ Donation, this puts Kerri further up the waiting list to receive a new kidney. Kerri leans on her strong Faith and family to get her through the waiting. Kerri also shares how blessed she feels to have a supportive husband and children walking this journey with her. She is so grateful for her bosses The Hearn’s (owners of The Rock in Peachtree City as well as a Trinity family) who have been so gracious to give her time off when she is sick or has doctor appointments. She prays every day for the donor who will give her the gift of life.

Learning about Kerri and Erica’s story is an important reminder of how we are able to offer help to friends in need. As believers, there are many ways in which we can minister to others while they are going through hard times. Whether through words of encouragement, the gift of time spent together, and prayers, there are endless ways in which we can support one another. We are so grateful for Erica sharing her story of how she chose to help a friend and couldn’t be happier that she is back at school teaching Art to all of our students. The beautiful example she set is one we hope will inspire our Lion Nation to. be the hands and feet to those around us.

How can we help?

Awareness - share this story with others and click on the links to learn more.

Conversation - talk with your family about the many ways to help those in need in our community.

Donate - click on Red Cross Blood to give blood and learn more about organ donation in Georgia at Organ Donor before you renew your drivers license.

Prayer - Pray that God brings the right person along at the right time with a healthy kidney to donate to Kerri. Pray for Kerri’s strength and mental health as she continues with dialysis while waiting for a transplant. And join us in prayer that God would draw Kerri’s children and husband close during this time as they watch Kerri fight this battle.