As HonorBridge continues to celebrate its 40-year anniversary in 2025, we recognize the incredible individuals who contribute to its mission. LaTonya Johnson-Jones, a liver transplant recipient, has been a valued member of the HonorBridge Board of Directors since 2021 and now serves as its Treasurer.
“It’s a huge honor and a pleasure to be part of the HonorBridge board,” said LaTonya. “You all do fantastic work, and I don’t care how many times people say ‘thank you’—you don’t get thanked enough.”
LaTonya’s transplant journey began unexpectedly in high school. One morning, as she and her best friend walked to the cafeteria, her friend noticed that LaTonya’s eyes looked yellow. Initially dismissing it, LaTonya later saw the discoloration in the restroom mirror. That night, a more alarming symptom appeared—her urine had turned brown. Concerned, her parents took her to urgent care, where blood work revealed her liver enzymes were dangerously high.
This led to a series of tests, including a liver biopsy and colonoscopy. Eventually, she was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)—a rare, chronic liver disease that causes bile duct inflammation and, over time, liver cirrhosis. The doctor informed her that she would likely need a liver transplant in approximately ten years.
Rather than allowing the diagnosis to define her, LaTonya focused on her dreams. She graduated high school, attended community college in Philadelphia, and later received a scholarship and transferred to NC State University, where she earned a degree in communications. Determined to continue her education, she pursued an MBA at Drexel University, making the most of the time she believed she had before needing a transplant.
For over a decade, she managed her health while building a successful career. However, in October 2016, her condition took a dramatic turn for the worse. She experienced severe swelling, jaundice, and extreme weight loss. Despite these challenges, she traveled to Mexico with her brother in December 2016, uncertain about what the future held. Upon returning, her health rapidly declined, culminating in an emergency trip to UNC Medical Center after she became unresponsive.
“That was the last time I was hospitalized before I received my phone call on Feb. 13, 2017, saying that they found a possible match,” recalled LaTonya. “I remember going in and they did a lot of testing before I went into the operating room. When I woke up from surgery, all of the aches and pains that I had had in my joints as symptoms from the liver cirrhosis were all gone. I knew then that it was a new day, a brighter day. I was like, oh my goodness, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way!”
Following her transplant, LaTonya committed herself to living life to the fullest. She wrote a letter of gratitude to her donor’s family in the hospital, and although she has never received a response, she remains deeply appreciative of the gift she received and hopes her donor’s family takes pride in the life their loved one helped save.
“I think I’ve squeezed as much life as I possibly could into the past eight years and I’ve had a lot of achievements,” said LaTonya. “I’m very grateful, because none of this would have been possible without the work that you all do at HonorBridge and also my donor, who I never got a chance to meet. I am so grateful for my day-to-day life, and I just hope that my donor is looking down on me and saying they’re really proud of their decision to register as an organ donor. I hope they see all the good things that I try to do.”
Over the years, LaTonya’s career transitioned from the advertising industry to healthcare when she began working in clinical research. In 2021, she moved to IQVIA, a leading clinical research organization, where she continues to help improve patient outcomes worldwide.
“I absolutely love what I do,” said LaTonya. “I love the fact that our goal is to improve patient lives and improve the quality of life because I’m all for that—sign me up for it every day!”
Beyond her professional accomplishments, LaTonya’s personal life has flourished. In 2021, she met her life partner, Alyssa, and the two were engaged in 2023 before marrying in 2024. Looking back, she never imagined she would have the chance to experience such milestones, but thanks to her donor, she has been able to embrace every opportunity that has come her way.
“I love to travel, so we travel a lot,” said LaTonya. “I’ve been able to hike the Grand Canyon, we’ve traveled internationally and experienced different cultures. I don’t have a lot of limitations now, so I’m like, let’s do it all— let’s go ride an ATV on the high top of the mountains, let’s go jet skiing in the ocean! Some people say you only get one chance at life, and I’m like, well I got two, and I’m living it to the fullest. I get to spend time with family, attend family events, and enjoy watching nieces and nephews grow up. I know my parents and my family are really happy to see me in this space, because they also saw the other side of this, and I’m sure that they wondered if I would even make it—so, they’re very appreciative, as well.”
As HonorBridge continues its work in 2025 and beyond, LaTonya’s story serves as a reminder of the incredible impact of organ donation. Through her advocacy, career, and personal achievements, she honors the gift she received and inspires others to say “yes” to donation.
“The work that you all do at HonorBridge is exceptional—it really is,” said LaTonya. “Organ donation is sometimes a very difficult conversation to have, especially when it comes to minority communities. Sharing recipient stories is so important, particularly when they look like the people that you are trying to reach. Hearing someone say, ‘hearing your testimony has made me rethink some of the things that I once thought about organ donation,’ is a huge win for me. When things become real for people, minds and behaviors start to change.”
Did you know? 75 or more lives can be saved and healed by one organ, eye, and tissue donor. Sign up today!
