Mike Jones, kidney recipient, Organ Donor Educator, and Patient Advocate was blessed to receive a kidney after waiting five long years.  He refused to let dialysis stop him from leading a normal productive life. On September 25, 2001, Jones, a young African-American Christian man, received the “gift of life” from his donor, Patricia Abdullah, a White Muslim woman whom he met while enrolled in a four-day Personal Self-Development seminar earlier that year. After the surgery, Jones was told that it would take him in excess of a year to get back to his normal course of activities. He was able to participate with his normal activities within 6 months of his transplant.

In July 2002, Jones participated in the Dina LaVigna Breath of Life Triathlon Relay where he rode 24.8 miles on his bicycle.

September 25, 2002, he celebrated his One Year Anniversary as a “Gift of Life” recipient and helped raise money for the SALUD Foundation to open the first dialysis center in South Africa.

In March 2003, Jones celebrated the launch of his dream – the One Miracle Celebration of Life Foundation.

On January 1, 2004, Jones and his donor Patricia Abdullah were featured riders on the inaugural “Coalition on Donation” float in the 115^th Tournament of Roses Parade^® along with 20 other transplant recipients, organ donors and donor family members.

In 2005, Jones received “The Urban Angel Award for Community Service.”

In 2006, Jones honored a young man at the 4^th Annual Evening of Jazz for being instrumental in bringing attention to his brother in desperate need of a kidney. Later that year, Jones was able to get the young man’s sister a temporary Visa and flew her from Guatemala to Los Angeles to give her brother the gift of Life (kidney).

In 2007, Jones presented “The Inspiration Athlete of the Year” award to Rony Turiaf of The Los Angeles Lakers from ESPN Radio Sports Awards for having heart surgery. He immediately returned to professional basketball following his surgery.

In June 2008, Jones and his donor spoke at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and as a result of their testimony, the Pastor’s daughter received a kidney transplant later that year.

In 2009, the Master of Ceremony for that event also received a kidney transplant.

In the summer of 2010, Jones participated in the U.S. Transplant Games.

December 27, 2010, Jones decorated the "Seize the Day" Donate Life Float for the Annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA in honor of those that have given and received the "Gift of Life."

Jones continues to do interviews and speaking engagements all over the country. 

Jones is also an Ambassador (volunteer spokesperson) for One Legacy, a non-profit, federally designated transplant donor network serving 18 million people in seven Southern California counties.

Click HERE if you would like to book an interview or speaking engagement.

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