Adam's Full Story

The Journey to Find a Life-Saving Kidney

This is the story of hope, love, and the incredible power of human kindness. A story that began with a desperate need and ended with a miracle.

Adam Lazenby

Meet Adam

Adam Lazenby is a 43-year-old craftsman from Tennessee. He's a quiet, hardworking man who spent his career remodeling homes and building things with his hands.

He's also a devoted husband to Shannon, a loving dog dad to Hazel, and someone who finds peace in fishing and being outdoors.

But Adam's life changed dramatically when his kidney began to fail. The kidney that had kept him alive for over 38 years—donated by his own mother, Joyce Lazenby, when he was just 4 years old.

The Daily Reality

7 Hours of Dialysis Every Single Day

When Adam's transplanted kidney began failing, his life became tethered to a dialysis machine. Every day, for 7 hours, he was connected to a machine that did what his kidneys could not.

For nearly 15 months, this was Adam's reality. Unable to get a full night's sleep. Uncertain whether he would die while waiting for a donor. His world shrunk to the confines of life with a tube in his stomach, additional dietary restrictions, and his dialysis schedule.

Without a new kidney, Adam would remain on dialysis indefinitely—or worse.

The Search for a Donor

90,000+

People waiting for a kidney in the US

3-5

Years average wait time

17

People die each day waiting

The odds were stacked against Adam. But Shannon refused to give up. She started a campaign to find Adam a living donor—someone willing to give the gift of life.

Why Living Donation Matters

Living kidney donation offers significant advantages over deceased donation.

Longer Lasting

Kidneys from living donors typically last 15-20 years, compared to 10-15 years from deceased donors.

Lower Rejection

Living donor kidneys have significantly lower rejection rates and better long-term outcomes.

Scheduled Surgery

Living donation allows for planned surgery when both donor and recipient are in optimal health.

Adam & Shannon on the Radio Together

Together they share more about their family, this journey, and about finding a donor.

Adam & Shannon Radio Interview

A heartfelt 15-minutes about Adam's journey, their love, and their hope for the future.

"Adam is a man of few words, but the radio host encourages him to share how he feels, and I'm so glad that everyone else gets to hear it from him. I see every day how much he's fighting and how much he wants to live. We are looking for that one angel to save his life. We're both immensely grateful to everyone who shares his story."
— Shannon McCue

Ways to Support

While Adam has received his transplant, there are still ways to help our family and others in need.

Help With Recovery Expenses

Medical bills and recovery costs continue. Any contribution helps.

Adam's recovery

Ways to Support Others in Their Transplant Journey

  • Share, share, share the story of someone who needs a transplant often and add your own words to the posts.
  • Change your cover photo to reflect their need.
  • If you are a business, post their need prominently where customers can scan a code to get more information.
  • Help someone who needs a kidney by establishing a website for them (Like Tristen Jackson and I did for saveadam.com).
  • Contact Addie's Tees to do a T-shirt fundraiser for that person.
  • Make up flyers or business cards and pass them out.
  • Make their need known at church or in your friend or service groups.
  • Display car magnets.
  • Help them financially to get the word out or cover loss of income or medical expenses.

Adam's Gallery

Moments from Adam's life

Adam Lazenby with his loving family, showing the close bonds and relationships that motivate his fight for life

Family time

Adam cherishes moments with his loved ones

Adam Lazenby enjoying a meal with his brother and mother at a restaurant, demonstrating the importance of family time

Family time

Adam with his brother and mom enjoying a meal together

Adam Lazenby gently holding a small dog on a wooden deck, showcasing his compassionate nature with animals

Animal lover

Adam's gentle nature with his furry friends

Adam Lazenby cuddling with his beloved dog Hazel, showing the special bond between them

Adam & Hazel

Quiet moments with his loyal companion

Adam Lazenby working on a home remodeling project, demonstrating his skills as a craftsman and contractor

Craftsman at work

Adam working on a home remodeling project

Adam Lazenby fishing outdoors, enjoying his favorite hobby and peaceful moments in nature

Fishing adventures

Enjoying his favorite pastime

Adam Lazenby with Shannon's sister Rhonda outdoors, showing his connection with extended family members

Extended family

Adam with Shannon's sister Rhonda

Adam Lazenby with his extended family gathered outdoors under a beautiful tree, showing the large support network that loves him

Extended family

Adam with his family under the shade of a beautiful tree

Adam Lazenby enjoying time with close friends at the marina, demonstrating his social connections and friendships

With friends

Enjoying time at the marina with close friends

Adam Lazenby working on a bathroom remodeling project, showcasing his professional craftsmanship and attention to detail

Bathroom remodel

Adam's craftsmanship at work

Adam Lazenby smiling warmly while wearing his cowboy hat, showing his genuine personality and southern charm

That smile

His warm smile and southern charm

Adam Lazenby proudly displaying a large bass fish he caught, demonstrating his fishing skills and love for the outdoors

Proud catch

Adam showing off his impressive bass

Adam Lazenby and his wife Shannon smiling together at the Grand Canyon, capturing a beautiful moment during their travels

Love at the Canyon

Adam and Shannon enjoying a breathtaking view together

Contact Information

Vanderbilt Transplant Center

615-936-0695

(select option 2)

Vanderbilt Health

Kidney Transplant Program