LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — To bourbon enthusiasts, there’s nothing better than getting your hands on a rare bottle, and there’s a sweepstakes going on now that provides the opportunity to do just that.

But this bourbon sweepstakes is no ordinary event, the story of how it came to be is special.

It all began when James Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe developed a blood sugar issue and Type 2 diabetes which took a toll on his kidney. He began to explore his options for a transplant and was eventually connected with Malay Shah, M.D., a specialist with the UK HealthCare Transplant and Specialty Clinic in Louisville. They determined a transplant would be a good option for Noe and the search for a donor ensued.

Luckily, Noe did not have to look far for a match.

When DeeAnn Hogan, plant coordinator at Beam Distilleries and friend of Noe for 25 years, found out he needed a new kidney, she answered the call. In fact, Hogan continually asked Noe what blood type he was until she finally found out they were the same, so she began the screening process.

On April 23, 2021, Noe and Hogan underwent a successful transplant procedure. Both have gone on to live healthy lives since.

Now, Noe is looking to give back to the UK Transplant Center through bourbon.

Noe has selected a special variety of bourbon for a sweepstakes with proceeds benefitting the transplant center. The bottles in the event, given the name “Second Chance Batch,” were selected from the first Booker’s Single Barrel Bourbon release.

To enter the sweepstakes visit go.rallyup.com/uktransplantsweeps. It will run from Dec. 1-10 with the drawing at 6 p.m. on Dec. 15.