At the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, you can find the Donate Life flag waving proudly from the flagpole. April is dedicated to Donate Life Month, which is a nationwide effort dedicated to raising awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation and the lifesaving impact it has on thousands of individuals each year. The message carries special meaning as Sheriff A.J. “Tony” Smith continues to share his personal life-saving story, turning it into national advocacy.

About seven months ago, Sheriff Smith underwent a kidney transplant. The donor happened to be his loving wife—the odds of a match being a miracle in itself. The life-saving procedure restored his health and allowed him to continue serving the citizens of Franklin County. From extensive medical testing and appointments to being placed on the transplant waitlist—the experience shaped Sheriff Smith’s perspective on how precious life can really be and the extraordinary generosity behind organ donation.

Throughout Sheriff Smith’s experience, he learned how delicate time can really be while on the transplant waiting list. For some, being on the waitlist means pausing their life, being away from loved ones, putting their careers on hold, making financial sacrifices, and so much more. Some could be on the list for months; however, most are looking at years. Years of pausing, years of prayers waiting to be answered, years of hoping that the next phone call is a transplant team telling them it’s their time. Behind every transplant is a family, a future, and a renewed opportunity to live life to the fullest.

Since his recovery, Sheriff Smith has worked to raise awareness about the importance of becoming an organ donor. With newfound energy and determination, he set out to establish Donate Life badges and challenge coins. Throughout the month of April, deputies with FCSO are wearing special Donate Life badges to bring attention to the importance of organ donation. This initiative aims to encourage others to register as organ donors when obtaining or renewing their driver’s licenses or to consider living donations for a friend or loved one.

The Donate Life badges also reflect strong community support. Local businesses stepped forward to sponsor the badges, helping turn awareness into action. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office extends sincere appreciation to the following community partners for their generosity and shared commitment to this cause: Blue Line Innovations, Galloway Construction, Water Street Seafood, Jason White Construction, Ace Hardware Apalachicola, Coastline RV Resort, Coastline Clearing, Forgotten Coast Automotive, and Tallahassee Ford. Sheriff Smith’s story serves as a powerful example of how one selfless decision can provide someone else with a second chance at life. Residents interested in learning more or registering as organ donors can visit Donate Life Florida or speak with their local driver’s license office.