Lexington, October 20, 2025

News Summary

The Lexington community is facing a significant kidney health crisis as several individuals, including Pastor Michael Robinson and Amanda Liles with her children, fight kidney failure. Robinson, who has returned to dialysis, urgently needs a living kidney donor. The Liles family is affected by Alport Syndrome, resulting in chronic kidney issues. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support them and raise awareness about the need for organ donors in the community. This situation highlights the pressing health disparities regarding kidney disease, especially among Black Americans.

Lexington Community Faces Kidney Health Challenges as Pastor and Family Seek Donors

Lexington is grappling with a pressing health crisis as several community members, including Senior Pastor Michael Robinson and Amanda Liles and her children, battle kidney failure. Robinson, who leads the choir at Total Grace Church, is currently facing kidney failure for the second time after initially receiving a transplant. He has returned to dialysis and is in urgent need of a living kidney donor.

Statistics from the National Kidney Foundation indicate that Black Americans are four times more likely to develop kidney failure compared to other demographics. Robinson’s personal journey with kidney disease has been particularly harrowing, as he has not only experienced kidney failure twice, but has also witnessed his father suffer from the same affliction.

In light of his experiences, Robinson is keen to raise awareness about kidney disease in his community. He encourages those who are able to consider becoming kidney donors. Potential donors can find his details, including his birthdate of June 22, 1979, to begin the donation process.

Joining Robinson in this fight is Amanda Liles, who, along with her two children, is also facing severe kidney health challenges. All three family members are affected by Alport Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that leads to kidney failure and is often associated with hearing and vision problems. Liles hopes to be added to the transplant list at the University of Kentucky by fall, having previously experienced a kidney transplant that ultimately went into chronic rejection.

Liles’s children, Katelyn Massie (22) and Hunter Collins (21), are currently undergoing dialysis. Both express deep fatigue and acknowledge the immense physical toll that the procedure demands. The family has a history of kidney disease, with several relatives also having undergone kidney transplants, further highlighting the genetic risk they face.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help support the Liles and Collins family as they navigate the complexities of their medical challenges and seek potential living donors.

Additionally, Jim Crouch, a Lexington resident, is preparing to receive a kidney from his daughter. After previous kidney transplant surgery over three decades ago, Crouch faced new health issues that compelled him to seek a donor sooner rather than later, realizing he would not survive the wait for a kidney from a deceased donor. His surgery is scheduled for September 30, and his daughter Megan, a teacher, has expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to donate, underscoring the importance of organ donation within their family.

Amber Shofner, who has dealt with end-stage renal failure for four years, remains hopeful for a kidney donation while managing the physical and emotional challenges of ongoing dialysis treatment. Shofner expresses a sense of peace regarding her situation and encourages others to think about the life-saving opportunities that come with living kidney donations.

This crisis not only demonstrates the urgency of kidney health awareness but also highlights the vital role of community support in finding potential organ donors. As such stories surface, the Lexington community is coming together to educate residents on the need for organ donations, emphasizing the importance of living donors in combating the prevalence of kidney disease.

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HERE Resources

Family’s Support Shines in Local Kidney Donation Story

Additional Resources

• Lex18 News: Pastor’s Faith Remains Strong
• Wikipedia: Kidney Failure
• Kentucky.com: Local News on Kidney Health
• Google Search: Kidney Transplant Information
• Fox56 News: Family Fighting Alport Syndrome
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Kidney Disease
• WTVQ: Father to Receive Kidney from Daughter
• Google News: Living Kidney Donation
• WTVQ: 23-Year-Old Awaiting Kidney Donation
• Kentucky.com: Local Education News

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF

The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.