Friend and Organ Donor is Gifted with a Dream Team Surprise

Lexie Gillman needed an immediate liver transplant and turned to social media in hopes of a miracle. After seeing the social media post Joan Shoell, an old high school friend, decided to help. Joan was found to be a perfect match after undergoing a donor screening.

“For her to do what she did without even having talked to me for, like, six years was just amazing,” Lexie remarked.

In March 2023, the two women went into the operating room in pursue of that miracle. After recovering, Lexie reached out to FOX 13 Dream Team to surprise Joan in recognition for her life-saving sacrifice.

The FOX 13 Dream Team got into position outside an Ogden restaurant where Lexie, Joan and Joan’s sister were having brunch. When the women walked out, FOX 13 News anchor Kelly Chapman approached them saying the news crew was there to do a story on Ogden’s historic 25th street. Once the women were being interviewed, Kelly revealed that they were there to honor Joan.

“I would do it again,” Joan shared when asked about saving her friend's life.

Joan received a $1,500 gift card to the Homestead Resort in Midway so she can get some much-deserved rest and relaxation.

Watch the video above to see Lexie’s and Joan’s full story!