About

EARLY LIFE & EDUCATION

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Lori McKnight’s story begins in Heath, Ohio, where she was privately adopted as the only child of Wanda Trost and Doug McKnight, from nearby Newark. Her early life was shaped by small-town values, love, and community. Her father, a volunteer with the Newark Fire Department, taught her early on the meaning of showing up for others.

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In high school, Lori channeled her energy into sports and leadership. She was a proud cheerleader and softball catcher for the Newark Wildcats, known for her spirit and grit. During summers, she worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Heath City Waterpark—serving her community even as she pursued her teaching degree from The Ohio State University. 

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  Lori is a proud tOSU Class of 1992 Alumni  

A true, devoted Buckeye fan — she rarely misses a game!

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She has fond memories of working as a beach lifeguard on Hilton Head Island at the very beginning of her teaching career, for a few years. While Lori loved (preferred) the beach weather and life that she was settling into—she was ready to start a family of her own. She made the tough decision to move back home to Newark, closer to where her parents could be involved. 

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Her love for youth and athletics led to a nearly 30-year career in health and physical education, primarily at Lakewood High School. Lori wasn’t just a teacher—she was a mentor, a motivator, and a coach. Over the years, she coached a variety of sports and most recently celebrated her final season as Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Lakewood.

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MOTHERHOOD & CAREGIVING

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But her biggest dream in life wasn’t in sports or the classroom—it was becoming a mother.

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She raised her three children in the Licking Valley School District, building a home full of love, laughter, and trust. Her eldest, Griffen, followed in her academic footsteps and graduated from Miami University in 2021. Her daughter, Sidney, mirrors Lori’s resilience and is now preparing for a bold new chapter after graduating from the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP School of Communication Design. And her youngest, Grady, is a quiet soul with a deep bond to his mom, now keeping her on her toes as a newly licensed driver.

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Lori’s home has always been a sanctuary—not just for her children, but for their friends too. She created a safe, open-door environment where kids could gather, be themselves, and create happy memories.

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In addition to raising her children, Lori also cared for her parents in their final years. She brought her father into her home first, and later, her mother. She was their primary caregiver, ensuring they spent their final days in comfort, dignity, and love. 

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THE DIAGNOSIS

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But in the years that followed their passing, the weight of grief and transition took its toll. Struggling with sleep, Lori turned to Advil PM, a recommendation from her physician. She had long trusted over-the-counter medications like Advil—but what she didn’t know was the damage it could cause to her kidneys.

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Within a few short years, Lori’s kidney function began to decline. The culprit? Overuse of Advil, a common NSAID. Now, Lori faces early kidney failure, and her children are on a hopeful search for a living kidney donor.

 

This website is a space to share Lori’s journey—but also to raise awareness. Over-the-counter drugs are often seen as harmless. But for Lori and countless others, the risks are very real.

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If you're here reading Lori's Story, thank you! 

Whether you're able to consider becoming a donor, support  

the family,    or simply share this page, please know that your  care means the world.  ​

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Together, we can help give Lori the gift of a future—one filled with more time, more laughter, and more love.