KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A group of motorcyclists will host a ride on Sunday to raise money for a woman who in May received her second heart transplant in Middle Tennessee.
Jordon Hensley received her second heart transplant in May 2024 — marking her third chance at life after her first heart transplant around 17 years ago. At first, a committee at Vanderbilt University Medical Center voted against putting her on the transplant list.
The hospital reconsidered in April and she was bumped up on the list. While waiting, she developed complications and was put on an ECMO machine. She had first received a heart transplant when she was around 12 years old. Usually, donated hearts last around 10 years after surgery.
Hers lasted around 17 years before she developed cardiac allograft vasculopathy in February — a common but often fatal condition among transplant recipients. In late May, she received her third heart to replace that one, giving her another chance at life in her late 20s.
A group of motorcyclists said they are planning a "Ride and Rock for Jordon" event on Sunday to raise money for her and her family. The event is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. and will last until 7 p.m.
It starts at the Harley-Davidson location on Clinton Highway. Organizers said breakfast would be provided and the escorted ride would head out at 11 a.m. Riders plan to travel around East Tennessee before ending up at the Bootlegger Harley-Davidson location, on Lovell Road.
Organizers are also planning a raffle, a silent auction, food, drinks and live music.