Clayton County

Georgia film professional, former Channel 2 photographer gets lifesaving organ transplant

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Devonte McCoy said it was the moment he discovered his passion.

“When I got the phone call that Channel 2 wanted me to be part of their high school team to shoot football, I was like, ‘OK, I’m in marching band, but the news wants me. I’m going to go with the news!’”

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He shot lots of highlights for Channel 2 during the 2011 season. He graduated from Morrow High School in Clayton County, then went off to film school.

Shortly after arriving, he was diagnosed with kidney failure. Dialysis became a daily part of college life.

He waited for a transplant for six years. Late one night a few weeks back, he got the call.

“I hear my grandmother screaming, yelling, ‘Oh my God! Oh my God! It’s Emory,’” Devonte said.

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Emory University Hospital had a kidney waiting for him, and the surgery was a success.

McCoy can’t wait to get back to business. He has a dream job in Georgia’s television and film industry, and life experience that is off the charts.

“Any advice I would give to anyone out there in my shoes is, keep going and don’t give up. You’ll have good days and bad, but don’t give up,” McCoy said.

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Next month, McCoy will be scouting locations for a new Netflix movie shooting in Atlanta. He says it all started by shooting high school football for Channel 2.

There’s a GoFundMe to help with his medical expenses.

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