In the November issue of Franklin Magazine, we featured a story of courage and hope. We told the story of a Franklin teacher who was awaiting a liver transplant.
At the time of the interview, Kristi Bayliss had a MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) score of 26-27. The highest possible score is 40. Bayliss received a diagnosis in 2004 of autoimmune hepatitis. On October 23, 2024, she received a call for a donor liver, but that liver proved not to be viable. The next week, she received a second call about a donor liver transplant surgery, to take place the evening of October 30. It is with deepest regret and sadness to report that Bayliss did not survive the surgery.
Her wish was to not only tell her story, but also, most importantly, to bring awareness to organ donation. Through this journey, Bayliss was able to meet Kirby Cochran, City of Franklin police chief and a liver transplant recipient. After speaking to one another on the telephone, Bayliss invited Cochran and his wife, Lori, who is employed by the Indiana Donor Network as an organ import coordinator, to speak to her classroom. Bayliss was more worried about her students than herself, Cochran said. Bayliss wanted to provide her students with a better understanding of her illness and impending journey.
“The first thing I noticed about Kristi was her cheerful outlook,” Cochran said. “Even though she shared her fears, she remained positive. Her compassion for others was simply humbling.”
It was during this initial conversation that Cochran learned of her passion for organ donation, and her desire to someday work for the Indiana Donor Network. “Even though I only knew her for a brief time, I realized that no matter what, she would certainly be an inspiration for her students, family and friends,” he said. “I am certainly honored to have had the opportunity to meet Kristi and her family. I will never forget her smiling face, her cheerful outlook and her sincere compassion for others.”
Bayliss’ legacy lives on through the lives she impacted. The following are testaments to her life told by colleagues and friends:
“One short paragraph could never be enough to share the positive impact that Kristi Bayliss made on not only myself, but Custer Baker Intermediate School and Franklin Community Schools as a whole,” said Whitney McCarthy, sixth-grade science and social studies teacher at Custer Baker. “From the moment that Kristi started teaching at Custer Baker, her love for students and teaching was palpable. I have been beyond blessed to teach alongside her for the past two and a half years. I have gained a wealth of knowledge from her experience in special education and beyond. Kristi loved her students and was fiercely dedicated to their success. She always had an uncanny ability to know just what each student needed and how to reach them exactly as they were. Kristi always put others first. She never let her diagnosis hinder her ability, attitude, or commitment to her family, friends, colleagues and students. I can never express in words how meaningful her friendship, love and support have made me a better teacher. It is an honor to have been her friend, co-coach and co-teacher for the time I knew her, and I will strive to continue her legacy of love and care.”
“Kristi was by far one in a million,” said Libby Findley, fifth-grade high-ability math teacher at Custer Baker. “Her kindness and compassion towards others never went unnoticed. She was by far the most selfless person I have ever known. Even as she was feeling bad herself, she always took the time to check in on you. It was common for me to find little positive notes or gifts on my desk when I got to school. I looked forward to her smile and hugs in the hall as we would pass. I will miss those, and the mornings spent in her room just laughing, and sometimes crying. Her absence will always weigh heavy on my heart, along with others at Custer Baker. I look forward to the day that I can get another hug, and we can laugh together again.”
Strength and determination are attributes that come to the minds of those who worked with Bayliss at Custer Baker.
“She refused to give up on life and lived it through to the end, impacting others at each turn,” said Tricia Bender, Custer Baker school counselor. “The day she shared with her students about her liver disease, she took the time to tell every student and answer any questions they had about her upcoming surgery honestly. Her openness, kindness and strength helped so many of her current students understand what was going on. Although it was difficult for students and staff to hear all that she would go through, we became educated. What better example could be said for a teacher who was teaching until the end?”
Jennifer Robertson, Dana Petro and Michelle Bright, along with Bayliss, dubbed themselves the Wolfpack. They had the following to say about their friendship.
“Every friend group has individuals who take on certain roles. In our group, Kristi was the sweet and kindhearted one that kept us out of trouble. She was our voice of reason, the one who would let us know when we took things too far, our designated driver, and the one who thought of everyone else before herself. Our families spend most Saturdays and all the holidays together. Kristi particularly enjoyed the days by the pool, concerts, vacations and dancing. She would also occasionally talk to us about participating in charity walks and various activities. Kristi loved our kids like her own, and she knew all our favorite things. She always made our favorite desserts for our birthdays. Kristi loved to travel, and she always joked that she would pack for 10 days, even if she were just going for two. Kristi was constantly telling us how thankful she was for our friendship, but we would argue that we were the lucky ones. We are each other’s chosen family, and we enjoy making life fun. Even when she did not feel well, she made plans and kept them.”
To learn more about organ donation and transplants, visit:
