James Redford: Star filled night a way to thank UNMC

From left: Byers Shaw Jr., M.D., Shirley and Michael Sorrell, M.D., and James Redford at the “Share The Beat” fundraiser. Fourteen years ago, Dr. Shaw performed the first of two liver transplants that Redford would receive at The Nebraska Medical Center.

Fourteen years ago this past weekend, James Redford, son of Hollywood icon, Robert Redford, underwent the first of two liver transplants he would receive at The Nebraska Medical Center.

On Saturday night, both Redfords got to say thank you.

While presenting a fundraiser headlined by stars such as Tim McGraw, Phil Vassar and James Denton, James Redford recalled coming to Omaha for the first time in 1993 and noted that this trip was much sweeter.

“To be here at this moment in good health — it’s really special,” Redford told the roughly 1,000 people who turned out for the “Share The Beat” fundraiser at Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum.

The event, which was presented by Redford’s non-profit group, the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness (JRI), was meant to raise money and awareness for organ donation. JRI has hosted other “Share The Beat” events but this was the first one held in Omaha.

Both James and Robert Redford took time Saturday to offer special thanks to UNMC’s Byers Shaw Jr. M.D., and Michael Sorrell, M.D., for developing a world-renowned liver transplant program.

Beat blog Click here to see a blog about this event.

“My son’s life was in his hands,” Robert Redford said of Dr. Shaw. “Fortunately, I’m here tonight with a happy ending to that story.”

Human examples of the importance of organ donation abounded Saturday night, from James Redford himself to the ushers and greeters from an organization called “New Hearts,” which is composed of transplant patients such as Sharon McGuire of Omaha.

McGuire recently received a kidney transplant at the medical center. This time last year, she had almost resigned herself to an arduous life of dialysis treatments. But on Saturday night she wore a ready and healthy smile as she helped people find their seats before the show.

From left: Rivers Rutherford, James Redford, Alana Grace, James Denton and Tim McGraw share a laugh at a news conference before the “Share The Beat” fundraiser Saturday night at Joslyn Art Museum. The event, which was presented by the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness, raised money and awareness for organ donation.

“The treatment and support I received at the medical center was amazing,” McGuire said. “To be here tonight is just a gift.”

Janet Goodman attended the event after donating a kidney in December at the medical center.

“While I know I helped someone else by doing what I did,” Goodman said, “the emotional benefit I received from donating was amazing.”

While organ donation — undeniably heavy issue — was the reason for the fundraiser, the night also was a celebration — but this was no ordinary party music.

Sharon McGuire of the group, “New Hearts,” was able to serve as an usher at Saturday night’s “Share The Beat” fundraiser after recently undergoing a kidney transplant at the medical center. The “New Hearts” volunteers, all transplant patients, served as ushers and greeters for the event.

The evening featured intimate acoustic sets from pop singer Alana Grace, Nashville singer/songwriter Rivers Rutherford and country superstars Vassar and McGraw.

Denton, who plays plumber Mike Delfino on the ABC series “Desperate Housewives” served as celebrity host.

After hearing Redford’s story, McGraw said he realized organ donation may one day save him or one of his own children.

“Being a father makes you think about those kinds of things,” McGraw said.