Strength in Adversity
Jennifer Adams has gone through not one, but two double-lung transplants in her life. Adams was born with cystic fibrosis and received her first transplant in 2017 after just over a month on the waiting list. When organ failure struck again in 2020, she waited only 24 hours before receiving her second lifesaving gift.
The journey hasn’t been easy — recovering strength, adjusting to a “new normal” and grieving dreams she thought she’d lose. Still, Adams considers herself blessed.
“After going through a double-lung transplant twice, I am truly blessed. I didn’t know how strong I was until I came through the other side. I am a warrior,” Adams said.
Today, she fills her life with family adventures, school and gratitude. For Adams, the gift of life redefined her life. It brought her family closer, deepened their appreciation for each moment and gave her two chances to live fully.
Miles of Volunteering
It is that appreciation that inspired Adams to become a volunteer with Donor Network of Arizona (DNAZ). As a DNAZ volunteer, Adams has supported 131 events and logged 445 volunteer hours since September 2023. That is an average of nearly four events and 18 hours per month! Her contributions span 
every stage of our work: packing days to prepare for major events, registration tables, speaking engagements, quilt-pinning ceremonies, DNAZ-hosted conferences, staff meetings and training sessions.
Adams’ dedication to educating others about organ and tissue donation knows no limits — geographically speaking, that is. Adams lives in Marana, a town about 90 minutes from Phoenix. But that doesn’t stop her from attending events in Flagstaff, Show Low, Phoenix, Tucson or Prescott on a regular basis. It’s not unusual for Adams to drive two to three hours to attend a volunteer event, often without prompting. She simply wants to be there to talk with community members about donation. As a native Arizonan from a rural area and a Spanish speaker, she connects with people easily and is always willing to share the story of her two double-lung transplants.
Transplant Games of America
Her dedication to donation advocacy has even taken Adams across the country. She has competed twice with Transplant Team Arizona at the Transplant Games of America — first in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2024, and most recently in Denver in June 2026, where she competed in bowling and a 5K. But her role on the team extends beyond competition. She is consistently present to cheer on her teammates, win or lose. 
Adams’ relentless dedication and passion for educating others about donation elevate DNAZ’s entire volunteer team. She is just one of dozens of inspiring and passionate DNAZ volunteers. If you’re interested in joining our volunteer team too, learn more at dnaz.org/volunteers.