ARTHUR’S FIGHT

Joy Dabney Johnson founded AFAASA MINISTRIES in 2019, after the sudden, unexpected passing of her brother, Arthur Johnson. Arthur suffered from several afflictions. Arthur suffered from Autism, was abandoned by his mother, was nonverbal and was placed in several different state ran facilities, where he suffered abuse. Joy and Arthur were only four years apart, so for many years, Joy was not of legal age or financially stable enough to care for her brother. Joy also, at a later time gained temporary custody of another sibling and had 3 children of her own. Eventually, their grandmother, Phyllis Hayden, assisted Joy in obtaining Co-Guardianship, which the two were granted. In the years to follow, Joy struggled to find adequate health care, daycare and mental health assistance for Arthur. Joy became afflicted with a fatal, if untreated heart condition and a rare illness that was related to an unexpected pregnancy. Those afflictions hindered her ability to care for Arthur. Their Grandmother also became ill. Joy decided to pay private caretakers, as she was dissatisfied with the care that Arthur had received from facilities in the past. Joy found that the care of private caretakers was unacceptable and inadequate as well. Joy began making arrangements for Arthur to return home. Joy also struggled and fought with doctors that felt the best treatment for Arthur was 18+ pills a day and a mental institution. Joy did not agree with or accept that resolution. After returning home from the care of a private caretaker, Arthur became withdrawn, ill and was refusing to eat, which was unlike him. Arthur was denied care at local hospitals because of his resistance and condition. Arthur’s primary care doctor and psychiatrist were unable to be reached for months. Joy contacted Health and Senior Services for help. A worker came out to assess Arthur. The worker stated that Arthur appeared to be a little "thin" but otherwise, appeared to be healthy in her opinion and praised Joy for the care that she had given him. Joy later received a letter in the mail denying Arthur of any assistance, as MDHSS concluded that he did not qualify. Reluctant and unsure of the next recourse, Joy decided to contact a reputable assisted living nursing home that was willing to help and take Arthur in. Arthur needed medical records from his primary care doctor before the home could accept him. After finally locating the doctors, it was confirmed that both doctors had irresponsibly lost Arthur's medical records, which delayed the process for the home to assist with him. It was later discovered that those doctors frantically shut down their practice and left Saint Louis.  Arthur suddenly passed away a week later, on January 11, 2019. The autopsy report only revealed that Arthur’s Kidney was missing and had been surgically removed at some point in his life while he was still alive. It is believed his Kidney was then sold on the black market. Joy and her grandmother were Arthur’s legal guardians and never authorized such surgery, which proves Arthur was a victim of illegal organ harvesting. It took over two years for the coroner's office to release an official cause of death. Arthur's causes of death were multiple complications that resulted from unknowingly living without a kidney. Due to the coroner's delay, Joy was forced to bury her brother without knowing the reason for his demise at the time. The case is still under investigation. If you have any information or believe you know someone who may be a victim of illegal organ harvesting, you are urged to contact the FBI at

202-324-3000.