The Smiths and Watkins Families Updates

In the early years of social media, it was a tool used to share stories that were under reported in mainstream media. Now, social media is where mainstream media looks first for great stories, especially stories that uplift and motivate us. Our sisterhood had a social media encounter that was not only inspiring, but was informative and continues to give hope to the multitudes who are waiting to receive an organ transplant. Our social media inspiration gave the world a glimpse into the lives of two families who are truly living out the meaning of friendships for life!

Life long friends,  Sheryl Sutton Smith and Angela Watkins, are not only members of several civic organizations but they are also sorority sisters as well as Spellman College sisters. Their husbands, Clint Smith, Jr. and Judge David Watkins, are Morehouse Men.  All who love them know the depth of their friendship. But a post on social media made their friendship known around the world and help energized many registration drives during November and ignited hundreds to participate in Donor Sabbath. The media highlighted their friendships and how their collective impactful has change lives in their communities and beyond.

On March 9, 2016, The New York Times featured Clint Smith, Jr.  on the front page educating the world about a new transplant procedure that saved his life. The link to the story was posted on several social media pages and went viral throughout many national volunteer organizations within days. Mass media outlets picked up the story which led to thousands hearing for the first time from, Judge David Watkins, Clint’s donor. He shared his powerful story on Living Your Best Life Radio.

Judge David Watkins

Fueled by the number of shares on social media, several media outlets dug deeper into not only the history of the Smith-Watkins close bond but the importance of having advocates give testimony to life changing medical breakthrough in layman terms. The powerful interviews of the donor and the recipient also gave many families and close friends an opportunity to have open and honest conversations about organ donation, healthcare, and wellness. The collective interviews also revealed the power of faith in action.

The story of the Smith-Watkins families friendship has inspired our many to be proactive on social media sharing positive stories about organ donation. Since the first reporting of their story, there has been a steady increase in online sharing of organ donor-recipient relationships in the communities of color that engage, inform and educate readers around the world!

Since my initial writing about the Smith and Watkins families in 2016, there has been several weddings and grandchildren have joined the journey! Look at the power of love! Phil 1:3

After nearly two years of calls, emails, and texts, Clint, Jr. Genma, and Sheryl met for the first time in person in New Orleans on August 4, 2017.

 Photo credits: New York Times, FaceBook, and Genma Holmes

Tanika Williams: Organ Tranplants and Caregiving on Living Your Best Radio with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes as we profile organizations, leaders, and volunteers who lead by example. With extraordinary acts of kindness and charitable giving that help countless lives daily, these organizations, leaders, and volunteers  embody, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

On Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tanika Williams will share updates about her husband, Steve Williams who is in need of kidney transplant. Steve Williams spoke to Living Your Best life audience when a donor came forward several months ago. Since that time, there has been a few twists and turns on his journey to receiving a transplant.

Tanika will share about loving her husband in sickness and in health, the trials, and the victories they have experienced over the last eight years. She will also share about the importance of educating communities about organ donation and transplantion and how it works.  Tanika will also discuss how everyone can help encourage Steve and their ongoing fundraising efforts.

This is a must hear show!

 Living Your Best Life, a radio show that empowers, inspires, and motivates us to live our BEST life, is heard on 760AM The Gospel in the Middle-TN area, Tune In,  military bases and on Ustream.TV worldwide from 9:00-10:00am CST.

More about Steve Williams Story

Steve Williams is on a list of  more than 123,000 men, women and children aawaiting organ transplants to save their lives. Thousands more are in need of tissue and cornea transplants to restore their mobility and sight. Register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor today and provide hope to those who wait.

 In 2008, life was going along pretty good. Tanika's husband, Steve, who is a truck driver, had his own business hauling cars. They had lived in their home for 15 years with their children who were teens. Their life was full of plans and dreams for our future. That same year, a routine health physical to renew his CDL license revealed a problem with his kidney. Their reality changed radically. Steve was in renal failure. He went from driving the country delivering cars to driving to dialysis 3 times a week. He endured the loss of his business, home and mental and financial security. In short, the bottom fell out.

For over eight years, he has waited for a donor.

 Nobody goes through something like this alone and comes out of it whole. We are blessed to have the greatest family and friends. The encouragement and help that we have received has spelled the difference in too many instances to name. Steve and I have had people on every side to hold us up. . Without you we would fall. We are deeply appreciative to you all and we're grateful that you continue to be Jesus' hands and feet for us. The Williams