“Life is precious”

Following a visit with her primary care doctor in the late 90s, where bloodwork showed concerning liver levels, Gayle Best embarked on an unexpected medical journey that led her from the classroom to a liver transplant ward. Diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver, Gayle endured years of living with the condition, relying on medication to manage her symptoms. But the toll on the dedicated kindergarten teacher became evident - relentless itching, leg swelling, and the inability to keep up with her young students. Her passion for teaching, however, persisted until her health declined to a point where she could no longer manage.

In May 2000, Gayle's life took a profound turn when she underwent a liver transplant. The immediate difference was clear when she woke up. After suffering extreme jaundice for quite some time, her family told her, “you’re not yellow anymore!” This transformative event marked a new chapter for Gayle, allowing her to continue teaching for another 22 years in Danville, Ky. She retired in 2022 after an inspiring 49 years of teaching kindergarten, seeing thousands of students come through her classroom.

Gayle found joy in life's precious moments; she saw all her children graduate from college. She attended the wedding of one of her children and has welcomed her first grandchild. Now, as a peer mentor and ambassador for those in need of transplants, she considers it her calling to help others facing similar challenges. Every day is a reminder for Gayle to be thankful for the gift of life, a gift made possible by the selfless donors she encourages everyone to remember and pray for. Gayle consistently reminds those she works with to, “Please remember to pray for the people who donated the organs. They’re responsible for me being here today.”

Her commitment to continuing to live and her gratitude serve as a powerful testament to the impact of organ donation on individual lives and the importance of cherishing each day. She knows the selfless act that brought her life and plans to honor that in the best way that she knows how: “I plan to continue living.”