Small children with fists full of their parents’ cash rushed to local author Chante Thomas’ booth during International Night at Mercer Elementary School, eager to purchase the Shaker Heights teacher’s books. With a cover featuring a young Black boy carrying a backpack with books on dialysis and kidneys, Thomas’ most recent edition of the book “Sean and the Book Cures,” was catching attention from the crowd.
Thomas, a Cleveland native and Howard University graduate, found her calling as a writer during her time in the teacher apprentice program at John Carroll University (JCU). While earning her teaching certification and working as an apprentice at University School, she took a children’s literature survey course at JCU. Though part of the course was to identify how certain books could help teach subjects, Thomas discovered something else about the books that hit a little closer to home.
“What I discovered personally was there weren’t a lot of books with people that looked like me, with characters that looked like me,” Thomas said. “And so that planted a seed. I was like, well, where are the stories that show…diversity?”
A Self-Made Author
When she started her first book, Thomas found herself grappling with publishers who had no interest in “little books with diverse characters.” That didn’t stop her.
In “Where I’m From,” Thomas shares stories of children from all walks of life, including a little Black girl from Cleveland that believes her Midwestern accent makes her say the word “water” funny. The story is a love letter to Cleveland, she said.
“There are these different dialects, and it’s getting kids thinking—it’s a way to interact with them. Whenever I read that story, I’m like, ‘Well, how do you say W-A-T-E-R?’ And they’re like ‘Well, just like you did then. How do we say it?’” Thomas explained. “And so she talks about her Southern roots, and that is what makes her who she is. And I show geography. I show the maps, like where is Atlanta compared to Cleveland? I show the Flats bridges. A lot of it is just my experiences.”
Thomas went on to write three more books: “Go to School, Tommy” published in 2018, “Sean and the Book Cures” in 2021, and the next installment “Sean and the Book Cures: The Great Sacrifice…Can You Spare a Kidney” in 2022. The latter she wrote to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage children to advocate for their own health.
From Author to Community Collaborator
“When people see individuals who look like them advocating for organ donation, it can help break down barriers and encourage more people to consider it,” Thomas said.
She wrote “Sean and the Book Cures: The Great Sacrifice…Can You Spare a Kidney” after her close friend had two kidney transplants. She wanted to tell a story that would educate younger generations about the kidneys and the life-saving impact of organ donation in a relatable and engaging way.
“This book is about more than just medical facts — it’s about instilling a sense of responsibility in young readers,” Thomas said. “They can make a difference, and understanding health is a crucial part of that. By addressing topics like organ donation in a way that resonates with children, we can help normalize these conversations and inspire the next generation to take action.”
The success of “Sean and the Book Cures: The Great Sacrifice…Can You Spare a Kidney” would soon grow into a collaboration between Thomas and the Cleveland Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP), promoting organ donation and health education within the Cleveland community.
Cleveland MOTTEP Executive Director Linda Kimble said her relationship with Thomas began at a Black Men in White Coats event.
“She approached my table very excitedly,” Kimble said. “When she showed me her book, I was like…this is wonderful. One reason it was so wonderful is because we’ve been doing Cleveland MOTTEP’s teen summits for many years, and we wanted to expand it out to younger people. Organ donation is a very difficult discussion with young people, and here’s this book that gives a really wonderful story about two cousins talking to a nephrologist. It even has a happily ever after.”
Kimble said Cleveland MOTTEP successfully secured a $10,000 grant from Cuyahoga County to begin an initiative that would fund a mass purchase of Thomas’ book, which would then be distributed to young people within the Cleveland community. The grant made it possible for every book to be given out for free, and was an instrumental part of Cleveland MOTTEP’s outreach efforts.
“Receiving this grant has been a game changer for us,” Thomas said. “This funding is not just about books — it’s about creating opportunities for young people to learn and engage with important health topics that can save lives.”
What You May Have Heard about Organ Donation & Transplants
Kimble shared several statistics about organ transplants from Cleveland MOTTEP, including:
- There are currently more than 100,000 people waiting for transplants.
- Once every 48 hours, an Ohioan dies while waiting for a transplant.
- In Northeast Ohio, there are nearly 1,600 people on the transplant list — 1,250 of which are minorities.
- African Americans needing a kidney transplant wait an average of 1,335 days, compared with 734 days with whites.
- African Americans represent more than 13% of the overall U.S. population and more than 35% of all patients in the United States receiving dialysis for kidney failure.
When it comes to African Americans signing up to become organ donors, Kimble said this data competes with historical trust issues around organ donation derived from past injustices in the medical community. She said it also comes from misinformation spread about organ donation in relation to funerals, religion, malpractice, violent crimes and poor media representation.
“People think that if you actually donate your organs, you cannot have an open casket funeral — that’s huge. People think they’re going to be able to tell that you actually donated your kidneys and everything,” Kimble said. “They also think that it’s against their religion, when in fact 99 percent of the religions feel it’s an act of love to actually be an organ donor. Another one is that people are out there … killing people for kidneys. We have to bust those actual myths that are out there.”
Kimble said when Cleveland MOTTEP does outreach, they don’t just throw a brochure at an individual and send them on their way. They take the time to educate them and give them accurate information about organ, eye and tissue donation.
“There’s a significant gap in knowledge about organ donation in our community. We need to break down those barriers and provide clear, accessible information to help people understand the life-saving impact of their decisions,” Thomas said. “Many people shy away from organ donation due to fear or misconceptions. By educating our community about organ donation, we empower individuals to make informed choices. It’s about helping them see that being an organ donor is an act of love and generosity.”
Cleveland MOTTEP’s website confirms that doctors take an oath to save your life and are not involved in the donation process, there is no age limit on organ donation and you can register as early as 15 1/2 years old, and organs are not sold between hospitals, medical professionals, or independent salespeople.
Continuing Advocacy
Most of Thomas’ books can be found at local book stores and libraries across Greater Cleveland including Loganberry Books in the Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland, Fireside Bookshop in Chagrin Falls, and many Cleveland public libraries.
As she approaches retirement from her 30-year teaching career, Thomas envisions dedicating even more time to her writing and advocacy efforts, creating more narratives that resonate with children and encourage them to explore their identities — a way for her to fully focus on her passion for storytelling and education.
August is National Minority Donor Awareness Month
Here are a few resources for readers looking for more information on organ donation and transplantation:
- Thomas produced a podcast with Lifebanc, a Northeast Ohio organ and tissue recovery nonprofit, discussing how “Sean and the Book Cures: The Great Sacrifice…Can You Spare a Kidney” inspired her to educate young people on donation and transplantation.
- Lifebanc will host its annual Gift of Life Walk & Run on August 10 at Porthouse Theatre in Cuyahoga Falls. The event is for all who have been touched by donation and/or transplantation.
Transplant House of Cleveland, a nonprofit providing temporary housing and community support to organ transplant patients and their families, Located on 115th Street in University Circle, will host a fall season kick-off event on September 24 to share happenings and volunteer opportunities for the rest of the year.
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