Shelby’s journey at LifeNet Health is a testament to her dedication and passion for helping others. Starting in the customer service department as an account coordinator, she transitioned through roles in accounting and marketing before finding her current position as the Associate Product Manager for the Cardiovascular Franchise. With a master's degree in biology, working at LifeNet Health was a dream come true for Shelby, allowing her to contribute to a mission close to her heart.
As a mother of two boys, Shelby was unaware of placenta donation during her first pregnancy, as it was never mentioned in her doctor’s appointments. However, during her second pregnancy, she noticed a LifeNet Health brochure while in the hospital. Recognizing the name, she was immediately intrigued and made the decision to donate her placenta, understanding the profound impact it could have on others.
For Shelby, the decision was easy, especially because she comes from a family that has both benefited from and deeply understands the importance of donation. “My family has polycystic kidney disease. I will need a kidney transplant at some point in the future. My sons have it, my brother has it, my mom has it. Many of our family members have had it and have had transplants. Working at LifeNet Health has always been very personal for me.”
Shelby wishes more women knew how simple and impactful placenta donation could be, and she regrets not knowing about it sooner. “If I had known, I would have done it with my first son,” she shares. Now, she actively promotes the importance of this kind of donation, even incorporating it into the tours she gives at LifeNet Health Headquarters. She believes that education should start in the OBGYN’s office but extend beyond, with labor and delivery nurses equipped to inform and prepare expecting mothers, as well as broader community outreach.
“It’s a different type of donation,” she explains. “It’s a really special time. You’re bringing a beautiful new child into the world, and at the same time, you have the chance to give a gift of healing to others. You receive a gift and give a gift.”
Recognizing that many women don’t have specific plans for their placenta after childbirth, Shelby encourages them to consider this opportunity. She hopes more women will feel inspired to give this special gift, knowing the profound impact it can have on others' lives.
Shelby’s son Everett became a “Hero from Day One” through the simple, generous act of placenta donation, showing how a moment of thoughtfulness can make a lifelong impact on others.