Amy's Story "Since knowing Nicole has saved so many lives through her gifts, I feel such peace and calmness in my heart." Amy, Donor Mother
There is nothing more devastating than losing a child. But in the midst of her loss, Amy made a decision that ultimately saved many lives. Amy's daughter Nicole, donated her heart, liver and kidneys to people in severe need of a life-saving transplant. Because of this generous gift, numerous people were given a second chance at life.
Mandee is one of those who was given a second chance at life as a result of Nicole’s gift. Mandee had suffered from a congenital heart defect since birth. But after receiving Nicole's heart, Mandee now has a new lease on life. In 2003, Mandee was a bridesmaid in Nicole's sister's wedding.
"Donor Alliance has been a great lifeline for me," explained Amy. "They were there for our family during our grief and they serve as a support to us today. I feel that I too am living again since Nicole's death. Knowing Nicole saved so many lives through her gifts, I feel such peace and calmness and in my heart."
Pat's Story"What greater gift could there be than to contribute to the transition from 'death to life' for another person?" Pat, Donor Wife and Mother
After spending some time with Pat, you'd never know the grief that she has endured. Pat lost her husband Don, after a car accident on the way to the Grand Canyon. The accident left Pat with a concussion and the tough decision to donate her husband's corneas and other soft tissue. Not long after her husband's death, Pat dealt with tragedy a second time when she lost her stepdaughter, who was nine months pregnant, to an aortic aneurysm. Her stepdaughter's corneas were donated to a two-year-old girl in Mexico.
Fate took a turn when Pat met her second husband, Dick, through an online dating site. He noticed a photograph of her first husband in his high school uniform and was stunned at what he saw. "Don and I used to play rotating right tackles in middle school," Dick recalled. "Coach would always yell, Smith get in there! Ling get out!"
Becoming part of a donor family has helped Pat deal with her grief by knowing that other people have benefited from the last gifts of her loved ones. "What greater gift could there be than to contribute to the transition from 'death to life' for another person," Pat said. "I have learned that grieving teaches many lessons - that every minute of life is precious and that grief without hope is devastating. Being a donor family gives two gifts - the gift of life and the gift of hope."
Connor's Story"Spread the word, don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here." Connor, Two-time Heart Recipient
When Connor's mom took her three-month-old son to the doctor for a cold, she learned that Connor had a condition called cardiomyopathy, a deadly heart disease that could only be remedied by a heart transplant. Connor spent nine weeks on the waiting list and received a transplant on Mother's Day in 1992.
Ten years passed and Connor's body started to reject the heart. He was placed back on the waiting list and more than a year later, Connor received his second heart transplant on July 18, 2005.
Today, Connor does all that he can to promote awareness for heart disease and donor awareness in the community. When he's not educating the public about organ donation, he's most likely working on perfecting one of several magic tricks that he performs for kids in his local area.
Connor thanks Donor Alliance for all their work in improving the number of organ donors. "If it weren't for Donor Alliance's essential understanding of the public brought forth through awareness, I and many other recipients I know might not be alive," Connor said. "So spread the word, 'Don't take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here!'"
Lynn's StoryThanks to Donor Alliance, my donor and donor family, I can chase my daughter around now. I can keep up with her. Lynn, Bone Recipient and Donor Family Member
By the time Lynn learned of an isolated cancerous tumor in her left femur, she already needed a transplant to replace the cancerous bone. In 1996, Lynn received a full femur bone transplant and for the past 10 years, Lynn has lead a normal life with her husband, Michael, and their six -year-old daughter, Janelle.
Because of Donor Alliance's role in improving Lynn's quality of life, she has given back to the organization by serving as a volunteer for nearly 15 years. "Thanks to Donor Alliance, my donor and donor family, I can chase my daughter around now. I can keep up with her," said Lynn.
Lynn and her family have been touched by donation in another way as well. Lynn's 80-year-old grandmother passed away from heart failure and donated bone, skin and soft tissue. "In my family donation is just something you do, no questions asked," Lynn said. "My family has always believed in giving what you can so I know we made the right decision."
