Audra Plusquellec (left) thanks Patti Rogers (right) for her new life. Photos by Jennifer Dempsey
A Life-Saving Gift L
OEC veteran employee donates kidney, saves life By Taryn Sanderson
ongtime Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (OEC) retired employee Patti Rogers is a humbling woman who doesn’t feel anything more than ordinary. But for 20-year-old Au-
dra Plusquellec, Rogers is extraordinary. Audra will never be able to adequately thank Rogers for the role she played in her life. On April 12, 2013, Audra was admitted to the hos- pital with a bacterial infection that had progressed to septic shock. The physicians gave her parents a grim prognosis and did not expect her to survive the night. While she did survive, her adrenal glands, spleen and kidneys did not, and, as a result of extremely low blood pressure for an extended time, Audra's legs were severely blistered as well. The young lady, a pas- sionate and involved senior at Norman North High School, was instantly in fatal danger.
“I don’t really remember exactly what happened but I started feeling terrible,” Audra said. “I fi nally told my mom I felt like I was dying and that’s when we went to the hospital.” Audra spent 17 days in the ICU and for the fi rst
OEC Board President Bob Usry and Jonna Buck, vice president of administration, present Rogers with Touchstone Energy’s “Power & Hope” award.
week, doctors were telling her mom, Kirsten, who happens to be one of Rogers’ best friends, there wasn’t much hope for Audra. Kirsten and Rogers, along with the entire Norman community, prayed for a miracle, which came when Audra was strong enough to walk at her graduation in May. “I didn’t think she would be able to walk at grad-
uation but she did,” Rogers said. “She was on dialysis three times a week and it became clear that she was going to need a kidney transplant.” Audra’s real miracle came when Rogers decided to donate one of her kidneys to save the young lady’s life.
“My fi rst thought was ‘bring the paperwork and where do I sign up? If I can help, I’m going to help,’” Rogers said. Rogers, who was 49, went through several medical tests, labs and counseling to ensure she would med- ically be a good match for Audra, despite their age difference. Papers were fi nalized in June 2014. “From the beginning, Patti said she would do it,”
Rogers expresses her passion for organ donation awareness.
Audra said. “I didn’t want her to have to do that for me but all I could say was ‘thank you,’ even though it’s not enough.” On July 28, 2014, Rogers and Audra, were admit- ted to Integris Baptist Medical Center for surgery. The transplant took a total of 11 hours, five for Rogers and six for Audra. Since the surgery, Audra has a relatively normal life
again; she will take anti-rejection medicine twice a day—exactly 12 hours apart to maximize her kidney’s life—for the rest of her life. She is a full-time student at Oklahoma City Community College and is a nan- ny for six children.
“I will never be able to thank Patti enough for how generous she was,” Audra said. “It’s been a big change for me to have a life again, but it’s been a good change for sure.” Rogers has been awarded honors around the com- munity for her kindness toward Audra; Touchstone Energy’s Power & Hope Award and Oklahoma City’s Channel 4, “Pay it 4ward” award. Rogers feels ‘humbled’ is the best word to describe her feelings about the attention she’s received but is passionate to share about organ donation. “I saw a glimpse of the suffering and what this girl
experienced,” Rogers said. “It’s so important to make sure you are registered to donate because it does save lives and saves grief from the families of loved ones. “I realize living donation isn’t for everyone, but we all can painlessly give upon death.” On January 2, 2015, Rogers moved to a new chap- ter of her life—retirement—after working at OEC for 31 years. From starting as a typist and then moving up to communications specialist at OEC, co-ops have been a huge part of Rogers’ life. “I am enjoying my life but I do miss the people; I
believe so strongly in co-ops and what they stand for and what they do,” Rogers said. “It’s that spirit of coming together that kept me fulfi lled throughout my career there.” OEC’s vice president of administration, Jonna
Buck, along with Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives director of member services, education and youth, Jennifer Dempsey, nominated Rogers for the Touchstone Energy’s Power & Hope Award. “Although she has left OEC to pursue new oppor- tunities, she will continue to spread her generous and giving spirit wherever she goes,” Buck said. Rogers will forever cherish the relationships she
made in the co-op community but she and Audra agree they will forever be a part of each other’s lives. “The Plusquellecs are truly like extended family for me and vice versa,” Rogers said. “Poor Audra; she is stuck with another mom for the rest of her life!” Rogers jokes about Audra having two moms while
Audra doesn’t mind the extra attention. “Patti and I honestly didn’t know each other that well before the illness and now she is like my second mom,” Audra said. “We will definitely be close. Always.”
APRIL 2015 9
It’s National Donate Life Month!
For more information on Donate Life America, visit
donatelife.net.
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