Bill Cody, the longtime announcer of the Grand Ole Opry, is in desperate need of a double transplant. As his family prays for a miracle, the country music community has banded together to show its support.
Bill Cody’s Health
On Sunday, May 31, Cody’s daughter, Hannah, took to social media to plead for prayers as her father’s health hangs in the balance.
“Friends. Prayer warriors. I believe in the power of prayer and my daddy needs prayers,” Hannah began. “A little over 3 weeks ago, he was admitted to the ICU in heart failure and kidney failure. After weeks of being on a roller coaster of emotions, tests, dialysis, medications, steps forwards and steps backwards, it was determined earlier this week that his only option for survival would be a double transplant, heart and kidney.”
Despite passing all the tests needed to be a candidate for the transplant list, Hannah shared that her father’s “heart strength and ability to pump blood took a downward spiral.”
She continued, “We got a call from his doctor early this morning that they were having to intubate him to put him on ECMO (a machine that does the hearts job for him).”
Hannah begged fans and friends in the community to pray that Cody “will not experience any of the risks that come along with ECMO — stroke, blood clots, infection.”
She continued, “Pray that the next 48 hours on ECMO gives his body time to rest and gain strength. THIS is his biggest hurdle for transplant qualification right now. He has to gain strength. [And] pray that the transplant team that meets on Tuesdays will find him a candidate for transplant and get him put on the list.”
Country Music Stars Rallied
The comments section was flooded with some of the biggest names in country music.
“I just heard this news. Oh my heart. I love Bill so much. I hear him introduce me every night at my shows. He did the voiceover for the show intro. Please let his family know I am praying for a miracle. God is able,” Jo Dee Messina wrote.
“I made it through and Bill is dang site tougher than me. God Bless,” Colt Ford commented.
’90s legend Mark Wills wrote, “Lifting Bill up in our prayers,” while The War and Treaty added, “Praying so hard for @billcodywsm and his family and the entire @wsmradio family. We love you Bill.”
Dierks Bentley commented, “We love you Bill and are praying for you pal.”
Chris Janson, Jake Owen, Michael Ray, Drew Baldridge, and Tenille Townes were also in the comments section, sending their prayers.
Meanwhile, “This Is Us” actress and singer Chrissy Metz wrote, “Praying for complete and total healing!”
Stephanie Quayle commented, “We agree in Jesus Name healing over @billcodywsm. Lord give his daughter supernatural strength and courage and that his doctors and everyone around him have divine discernment 🙏🏻 please let us know how we can help with the donor list and help find him his matches 🤍 he has been so good to all of us-we can all help rally for him and your family.”
Bill Cody has been a staple of the Opry for years, having earned multiple CMA, ACM and Billboard nominations for his work. He was also honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame, and inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 2008.
