By Leanna McGuire, Director of Marketing, Huntington Billboards

Several months ago, Henri Edda Stratton contacted Huntington Billboard Company about posting a billboard, seeking a kidney donor for her husband Bill. According to the National Kidney Foundation, it takes an average of 3-5 years to find a matching donor and even longer in some geographical regions of the country. Bill’s doctor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee suggested the family enlist the help of an area billboard company for greater exposure.

The Strattons quest led them to Huntington Territory Manager Barb May, who worked to arrange the 10’x30’ billboard donation which was installed on I-24 in Kentucky (the route from their hometown to Vanderbilt Medical Center. A few months later, the Strattons received word that a living donor had come forward.

“I was sitting at the bank drive-through when Bill called me crying, saying he got an approved donor. We were both crying and praising God. I called everyone close to us.  We were so excited.  I truly didn’t know what to do,” said Henri Edda. At that time they didn’t know the identity of the donor, or if the billboard had played a role in finding the donor.

On March 24, 2022, Bill had the successful transplant surgery.  It wasn’t until the day of the procedure that they learned the donor had seen the billboard. She decided to see if she was a match for Bill.  Henri Edda updated Huntington again in April stating, “It’s been a bumpy road, but the kidney is working great and Bill is getting stronger every day.” Henri Edda gives credit to God first, then to Huntington for their role in helping to find a match.

Huntington Billboard Company CEO, Justin Powell said, “When I first heard this story it brought tears to my eyes. I can think of no better way to use our billboard platform than to help others in this way. Hopefully hearing this story will encourage other billboard companies to donate space for people who are also in need of a transplant. I am so happy for Bill and the Stratton family and will be praying for his continued recovery.”

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