The Humanitarian Airlines Employee who went “above & beyond”.

Frequent Delta Air Lines flyer Bruce Gamble is much acquainted with the employees of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport due to his 30 plus years of traveling. But part-time Delta agent Jill Hickey has become “more like family now”. Hickey doesn’t only pass out free water bottles and help passengers get from point A to B — she gave Gamble “a kidney”. 

The duo got to know each other at her customer service counter over the years. In November 2022, Gamble, now 74, discovered he needed a kidney transplant. Gamble has been a Type 2 diabetic since 2002, and an internist noticed his kidney function was declining. He was told his blood type had a three-to-five-year waiting list for a kidney from a deceased donor. By then, he would be 75 to 78 years old, ruling out surgery. He was left with no option but to be “an advocate” for himself, he said. Gamble shared that he needed a kidney transplant, and a wait of three to five years for an organ donation, he would likely age out of eligibility for a transplant procedure.

What is believed to be a God’s Proposal, it was Jill Hickey who jumped into the rescue act. At the beginning, she quickly ascertained if some coworkers can suitably donate for Gamble. But again, as per the almighty’s proposal she herself was a match. She didn’t hesitate to go forward with the procedure, an act of kindness that earned her an award from the airline.

When she shared the idea with her family, her husband and kids questioned her a lot. She’s a mother of two daughters, both in their late 20s, and one of her daughters was in tears out of fear of what could happen in surgery. But her family ultimately understood why she wanted to help. Hickey simultaneously works as an elementary school teacher for gifted children during the day. Throughout her career in education, Hickey has met students who needed organ donations. Recalling those moments in her life, she said, made her want to help someone who might be in that same situation.

Gamble and Hickey underwent surgeries in December 2024 in Birmingham. During the procedure, doctors discovered issues with the blood vessels around Hickey’s kidney that could have caused more health problems. The result was a longer surgery, but one that still went smoothly. Hickey’s kidney was transplanted into Gamble around Christmas last year, but the pair haven’t let each other go yet. With their spouses, they went on a joint vacation to the West Coast, with plans to keep traveling together as far as Delta — and their healthy kidneys — will take them.

Jill Hickey was recognised by Delta Air Lines with an award for the kindness she bestowed upon Bruce Gamble.

Both Hickey and Gamble’s life has gone back to the way things were before. Hickey is teaching gifted children on full-time basis during the school year, and she works for Delta as a customer service agent in the evenings. Gamble travels on occasion, being “semi-retired” but continues to do some training at car dealerships.

Team Maverick salutes the Humanitarian Jill Hickey.