When a rare snowstorm barreled into Knoxville, Tennessee, most people hunkered down. But Doug Floyd was headed to the hospital, where the kidney that would save his life was also on its way to meet him.

For the organ transplant team at the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC), that meant one thing: the clock was ticking, and someone’s life was on the line.

Doug’s journey to that hospital bed began decades ago. He was born with a stunted kidney, battled severely high blood pressure, and eventually lost both kidneys to disease after years of strict diets and medication. Doug’s first transplant in 2006 gave him 15 years of stability.

But in 2021, complications from COVID-19 and a massive stomach bleed took a toll on that transplanted kidney. He returned to dialysis and tried to adjust, but then a fire tragically destroyed his family’s home. Through it all, Doug continued to preach at his small church and show up for others, all while holding on to the hope that another transplant might be possible through UTMC.

In January 2024, Doug got the call he’d been waiting for: a donor match had been identified. But there was a complication: The same day, a major snowstorm was headed for Knoxville.

The doctors at UTMC sprang into action, urging him to get to the hospital early. One transplant nurse, Rebecca Jarvis, was unwavering in her mission to get the kidney to the hospital safely. She maintained constant contact with the transport company every step of the way, even when the storm raged and drivers turned back. “That kidney’s got to get here,” she told them. “Someone’s life depends on it.”

The transplant team stayed on site, ready for the moment it arrived. When it did, the operating room erupted, a moment Doug compared to “scoring the winning touchdown” with the kidney as the game ball.

The surgery was a success. Against all odds, the kidney began working right away, freeing Doug from dialysis and even allowing him to stop his blood pressure medication for the first time in decades. But for Doug, what stood out just as much as his health outcomes was the care that surrounded it.

The UTMC team stayed overnight during the storm to prepare for his arrival. Nurses provided round-the-clock attention, ensuring he felt supported at every step. It’s that commitment that lies at the heart of the hospital–Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) partnership. The hospital and transplant teams work together to honor donors and their families while ensuring that every organ has the chance to save a life—no matter the time of day, no matter the weather.

Today, more than a year after the transplant, Doug’s got a new lease on life. His energy and color have returned. He’s even picked up weightlifting, something he hadn’t done since high school. But what he cherishes the most is the time given back to spend with his loved ones and continue ministry.

Now, Doug shares his story publicly, speaking at events like UTMC’s annual Donate Life Month remembrance ceremony. He hopes his journey encourages others—both those waiting and those considering donation.

“Even if you’re not a direct match, you can still help someone,” he says, pointing to a friend whose participation in a paired kidney exchange saved seven lives. “That generosity made everything possible.”

For Doug, the storm has passed. But what remains is the team that stayed. The donor who gave. And the hospital that helped carry a gift across miles, mountains, and ice—because someone’s life was on the line.

Read more here.