Cory Turner: A Veteran’s Journey and Hope for a Kidney Transplant
Cory Turner was born in 1976 and grew up in South Dakota, where he learned the value of hard work early on. Throughout high school, Cory worked at a local meat processing business, never complaining about the tough, messy job. He built lasting friendships and supported himself, showing a strong work ethic and resilience.
After high school, Cory pursued auto mechanics and excelled, but his desire to serve led him to join the United States Army in 2000. He trained in counterintelligence and served with the 5th Special Forces Group Support Company, making parachute jumps and deployments to places like Jordan and Uzbekistan. Cory’s dedication to his country was unwavering, even as he faced unexpected health challenges. During advanced training, he was diagnosed with kidney disease, but he continued to serve until his condition forced an honorable discharge in 2004, just one year short of his commitment.
Cory returned home, started a family, and built a career in computer science, working as a UNIX System Administrator and Systems Engineer at the internationally known EROS Data Center, collaborating with NASA. Despite personal hardships, including divorce, Cory remained a devoted father and found love again, blending his family with Amanda and their children.
Kidney disease has taken a heavy toll on Cory and his family. He has endured years of dialysis, multiple surgeries, and life-threatening complications. Recently, his health has declined further, requiring frequent blood transfusions and leaving him weak and reliant on a wheelchair. Yet, Cory’s spirit remains strong. He longs to be present for his family, to support his children, and to contribute to his community. His loved ones pray daily for a kidney transplant that could restore his health and allow him to live fully again.
For Cory and his family, the hope for a kidney transplant is a deeply personal and urgent wish. Cory dreams of regaining the strength to be present for his daughters—sharing in their milestones, supporting them as they grow, and bringing laughter and warmth back into their home. His wife and children long for the days when Cory could join in family activities, joke around, and be the energetic, caring father and husband they remember.
His parents pray to see their son healthy again, able to walk over for a visit or help out in the garage. One of Cory’s greatest wishes is to return to helping on the family farm—a role that once brought him pride and connection, but which he is now unable to fulfill due to his illness. Every day, Cory’s family and church community unite in prayer, hoping for the chance to see him strong, engaged, and able to contribute to the lives of those he loves.
A kidney transplant would not only restore Cory’s health—it would bring hope, joy, and stability back to a family that cherishes him deeply. For the veterans considering this extraordinary gift, your generosity could transform the lives of Cory and everyone who holds him dear.
With hope and gratitude
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Cory‘s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611