Sheila Martin has spent over two decades transforming her family’s personal journey with organ donation into a force for awareness, advocacy, and inspiration. Each year, she hosts the Pitt Charity Golf Tournament—and since 2007, every dollar raised has been donated to HonorBridge and earmarked for donor education. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are honored to share Sheila’s remarkable story.
In 1989, Jim Pittman, Sheila’s son, was diagnosed with a serious autoimmune disease during his sophomore year at North Carolina Wesleyan University.
“Doctors told me on three separate occasions he wouldn’t make it,” recalled Sheila. “But Jim’s resilience and the care of a young rheumatologist saved his life. He eventually went into remission and finished college. He got married, and they hadn’t been married long when we got the news that he needed a kidney. I began getting tested, and we scheduled surgery. The rest is history!”
The surgery, performed in March 1997, went smoothly, leading to a successful outcome for both Sheila and Jim. Following his transplant, Jim went on to build a beautiful and fulfilling life, and both mother and son gained a new appreciation for the preciousness of each day.
“I guess it made us both realize what organ donation means for someone,” said Sheila. “And we realized how desperately donation is needed. It’s hard to put your arms around the fact that thousands of people are still waiting, despite all the progress we’ve made.”
After his transplant, Jim enjoyed life, pursued a career, and eventually became a father. Through all of life’s changes, he remained dedicated to raising awareness about the need for organ donation. Inspired by his love of golf, Jim and Sheila founded The Pitt Charity Golf Tournament, now approaching its 22nd year. Over decades, the tournament has raised over $200,000 to support organ donation education in partnership with HonorBridge and other organizations.
“He just felt we had a duty to do something and to help people understand the importance of being a living donor, or a donor in general,” said Sheila.
On Oct. 4, 2023, after years of advocacy and a life of quiet generosity, Jim passed away following a battle with Burkitt lymphoma and later a life-threatening sarcoma. He passed on the morning of the 20th Pitt Charity Golf Tournament—and in his memory, the tournament lives on.
“It’s a way that I can continue to honor Jim,” said Sheila. “He was so passionate about it. When I’m working that tournament, and when I’m out there with all those people, I can feel his presence. I know that this is what he would want me to do as long as I’m able to do it. And what thrills me even more is that my grandchildren feel as passionate as I do about keeping his memory alive through tournaments. Even after I’m long gone, The Pitt will still be going. That’s my hope.”
As HonorBridge celebrates 40 years of service, Sheila takes pride in her partnership with the organization and looks forward to continuing their collaboration for many years to come.
“With all the care and attention that HonorBridge has given to me and to this event, I can only imagine what they do for donor families,” said Sheila. “They’re the most caring people and their attention to detail and their willingness to step out and help people is just amazing, from the top down. The CEO, Danielle Bumarch, comes and speaks at our golf tournament and plays in our golf tournament. That’s amazing to me. As busy as she is, to have that commitment, it’s wonderful.”
As a parting message, Sheila encourages families to consider living donation, register as organ, eye, and tissue donors, and discuss their decision with their families.
“As an organ donor, you can save eight lives and improve the lives of many others,” said Sheila. “It’s very important to let your loved ones know how you feel about it. If something unthinkable happens, they’ll know exactly what to do, and that can be a real gift during a difficult time.”
Through living donation, Jim was able to live a full and joyful life. Even after his passing, his life continues to inspire his family and all who knew him.
“He was such an inspiration to people,” said Sheila. “He was an incredible businessman, a wonderful father and husband, and a friend to everybody he met. He was larger than life and a wonderful athlete. He was some kind of special. He took advantage of every single day, which is what we all should do.”
To the employees at HonorBridge, Sheila has a special message: “Keep up the great work. The work you do saves lives and changes families forever.”
Don’t miss this year’s Pitt Golf Tourney on Oct. 3!
Did you know? A single donor can heal and save up to 75 lives. Sign up to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor today!
