Alan Reid Sipe moved to Garden City Beach 38 years ago. Alan had two children, ages 2 and 7, at the time. His son Justin was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that affects digestion and pulmonary function. Alan was employed with Coker Builders for four years and oversaw their construction operations in coastal South Carolina. After his time with Coker Builders, he was hired by Jensen’s Inc., which owned and operated retirement communities along the eastern seaboard. For 26 years, he managed a large retirement community in Garden City Beach, retiring in 2014. In 2004 Alan’s son died while awaiting a lung transplant. Soon after, Alan and his wife, Jane, attended a Donate Life volunteer meeting in Myrtle Beach. That very night Alan was asked if he could speak with a local TV station the next day about organ donation, he did, and the rest is history. Alan and his wife support and promote organ donation so that someday no one will die waiting on a life-saving (giving) transplant. Alan participates in health fairs, various Donate Life events and has spoken to large professional groups across the state. Currently, he is awaiting state approval of his nomination as a Donate Life board member.

Mark Walker is a kidney transplant recipient and represents the Midlands region of South Carolina. Mark received a BS degree in Business Administration from The Citadel. Mark is employed by the SC Department of Transportation and resides in Columbia.  Mark served as the Chairman of the DLSC Board for two terms.  Mark offers his personal experience, education, and legislative contacts to help promote organ and tissue donation awareness.  

John Brogan, a kidney transplant recipient, represents the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. John was born in Evanston IL and lived in Wellesley, MA and Cleveland, OH before entering college. While living in Wellesley, our next door neighbor was Dr. Joe Murray who did the first kidney transplant. John received his AB from the College of the Holy Cross and MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Since getting his CPA while working for Price Waterhouse & Co., John has chaired boards of the firm’s investment. He currently serves on the board of Amerco, the parent company of U-Haul. His non-profit service includes chair of the Board of the College of the Holy Cross and served on the boards of Suffolk University and Convent of the Sacred Heart. John also served on the Business Advisory Council of the Univerity of Notre Dame and my wife serves as Chair of its Performing Arts Council. John resides in Bluffton, SC with his wife of 46 years. They have three children and four grandchildren. As a DLSC Board Member, John has personal experience of receiving the gift of life through transplantation. John’s mother was diagnosed with renal failure in 1968 and had two cadaver transplants before she died in 1980. John is keenly aware of the importance of promoting organ, eye and tissue donation, as several members of his family have received kidney transplants.

Royce J. Carter is originally from North East Georgia and has lived in Greenville since 1967. He has both an undergraduate and graduate degree from Clemson. Prior to retiring Royce first worked in the public sector and later in the private real estate and development market. He became involved in promoting and supporting organ and tissue donations in 1997 after his grandson received a life-giving liver transplant. Royce has served in various supporting roles since becoming involved. 

Lewis E. Cooley of Simpsonville, SC, was a dedicated Executive Board Director of Donate Life South Carolina and a passionate advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Born in Clinton, SC, Mr. Cooley devoted much of his life to service—whether through his faith, his community, or his unwavering commitment to saving lives through donation awareness.

A long-time member and Sunday School teacher at Simpsonville First Baptist Church, Lewis also served honorably in the United States Army Reserves, where he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He spent 35 years building a respected career at Duke Energy before retiring and launching his own consulting firm, Advanced Design Systems. As an instructor with the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), he taught technical classes throughout the Southeast, sharing his expertise with countless professionals.

In 1993, Lewis received the gift of life—a heart transplant at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA. This transformative experience deepened his connection with the Emory Transplant Team and inspired a new mission: to spread awareness about the power of organ donation. Through his long-standing service on the Donate Life South Carolina Executive Board, Lewis became a trusted voice in the transplant community, working to educate the public and increase donor registrations.

The Lewis Cooley Family Legacy Fund reflects his enduring commitment. This generous gift to Donate Life South Carolina helps strengthen public education programs that inform, inspire, and save lives.

Lewis E. Cooley’s legacy is one of leadership, generosity, and hope—proof that one life can create a lasting impact for many.

William “Woody” Crosby – Distinguished Community Leader & Medical Advocate

A long-time resident of Myrtle Beach, Woody Crosby earned deep respect and recognition in his community. In 2009, he was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce—a recognition that highlights his exceptional contributions to civic life

Woody played an instrumental role in promoting organ and tissue donation across South Carolina. He served as an executive board member of Donate Life South Carolina, where he helped raise awareness and support families during the organ donation process.

His dual impact—both in local civic engagement and statewide health advocacy—earned Woody a reputation as a dedicated volunteer and public servant. He is remembered for his leadership, warmth, and unwavering commitment to improving medical outcomes and community well-being in Myrtle Beach and beyond.