I have been wanting to post a message here for a long while now. My sister, Shirley Hrastich, had a liver donated to her in November 1996. She had auto immune Hepatitis. They say 20% of the cases turn into Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, which hers did. We had an older sister that died at the age of 14 with the same problem. Back then, they did not know how to treat it. After the liver transplant, she did very well. Back in the summer of 2002 the auto immune hepatitis set back into the transplant liver. I lost another sister on September 7th of 2003. After her transplant and her doing so well, I started getting sick an have been diagnosed with the same disease along with my sisters youngest daughter. I am truely grateful for MTS and all the donors of what they go through to donate organs. When Shirley passed away, because of this type of disease she could not donate an organ but there was only one that she could. We were able to donate her retinas. Which I know she would of been happy. MTS is a wonderful organization, and the people there couldn't of been more wonderful. The only wish Shirley was not able to get was being able to meet the family that donated her the liver. It did save her life for another seven years. Had she not have gotten the liver when she did, she had than 2 months to live. Thanks again MTS for all your wonderful work you put into helping families, both donors and recipents. Thank you so much.

My husband Eric passed away on Nov 11, 2007. I had the honor of donating his organs so he could live on in others. The donation has helped me in so many ways and I am very grateful to MTS for everything. I hope to someday meet the receipents of Eric's organs so I can share with them what a special person my husband was.

My 10 year old daughter Mikahla received the most wonderful GIFT a "new" heart on April 5th, 2007. She was born with Hypertropic cardiomyopathy and was sick her entire life- never being able to run and play, ride a bike or even walk from class to class at her school. Mikahla is a new person now and has lived more in the past 6 months since her transplant than she lived in the first 9 years of her life. She ran the mile at school this year! This would never have been possible without this precious gift someone gave her. This HOLIDAY season we have more to be thankful for than most people have in a LIFE time. We want to express our sincerest THANKS to the donor family - they have saved Mikahla's LIFE!! I hope to be able to meet them one day - I will write to them and hope they will respond. It would not be possible without the help of MID-AMERICA TRANSPLANT SERVICES- thank you to the staff!

my husband died unexpectly 9/26/07 of a massive heart attack, my life seems to have stop, pat had and i also made a decision to donate and signed up with the drivers license bureau, so hard as it was to swallow the sudden death of my husband i know he wanted to carry out his wishes, we decided heart on donating his heart valve and tissue he was only 47, that moment of time of donating is one of comfort, knowing pat is helping someone else in this moment of unbearable sorrow

My husband David died in an automobile accident on March 14, 2003 a day before son's 11th birthday. He was brain dead. At first I wasn't for sure if I want to donate but I remember what he once told me he wanted to leave something for his son. I thought what is more precious than life. I donated his liver, kidneys and a bone in his leg. I have heard from one of his recipients and when I heard how well he was doing I knew I did the right thing.

My husband, Leonard, died October 29, 2006. He was killed in a terrible accident. He was an organ donor. Just recently, I received a letter from someone who benefited from his donation. She was very grateful that she was able to now have a full life with her family. I was very happy to get her letter. I am so proud of my husband for being an organ donor. Even though he is not here physically, he is here in spirit. It gives me great comfort to know that his death was not in vain. He had a great appreciation for life and I'm glad that he will continue to live on through all the people whoes lives he touched. Keep the correspondences coming. They truely are a great comfort to me and my family.

HEY!! everyone I recived a HEART transplant!! :)! ON the night of MAY 19 , 2006! Iam so happy and deeply emotioned that I have a chance to tell all of the donor family's that IAm here today!! alive!! and SO THANKFUll!!! to tell you all how much this means to me. That someone you love still lives on in this big and crazy world. Iam only 16 years old. The doctors arent sure of how my heart started to give up on my body. I remember one of my doctors telling me that "I cant help you anymore and you need a Miracle" i remember yelling back at him and saying "get out of my room beacuse you'r no one to tell me when Iam going to die" he told me i needed a transplant and without me knowing even what a transplant was i rejected the idea. I guess i rejected the idea the first time because I felt like I was being selfish taking a part of someones body. Later on i relazied that this donor was giving me a gift that no one else can ever give me. I pray for the loved one who have lost there familys. Since i have a second chance at life i try to creat a diffrence EVERYday by helping out kids who are going through the same things that I have been through. THANK you all of you are in my prayers! forever!

we lost my nephew nathan , just 2 short weeks ago on the morning he was to graduate from high school. it is still so hard to believe and try and except that this youngman who was so full of life , happy and healthy could be here one day and within a few short days was gone. he had plans, dreams , goals.he was headed into the marines. he was going to do something with his life , he was going to make his dad proud. he was such a giving person that in life but we didnt realize just how giving til the morning we knew we were losing him. none of us knew he had decided to be an organ donor and he went online to register to make sure his wishes were known.i know nathen deans life was short and he wasnt able to fufill his dreams , but i am very proud of him for being a mature enough youngman to make the decision to become a donor in hopes of helping someone else fulfill theirs.we miss you dearly nathan dean, but we will carry you in our hearts forever.

My mom died about 6 years ago. I was about ready to turn 13. Her death was unexpected. she had high blood pressure. My brother and I moved to Europe to live with my dad who was in the Air Force. She donated her eyes, heart, liver, kidneys, and a few other things. I just graduated high school and knowing that I wil never see her again hurts but I know she is in my heart and always will be. I'm very happy to know that the people she helped saved their lives.

My son bradlee was a gift from God. We lost him very suddenly. The pain is so bad I can hardly fuction. I no in my heart he is in a better place with God. He was on the list to donate, and did not even no this. That tells me how remarkable my son really was. Life will go on through my son Bradlee. I loved him with all my heart and soul. I would of done anything for my son. He was truley a shepard of God. I will miss him. His Love will always be in my heart. I LOVE YOU SON

hello my name is saja ayad and im writing a paper for my health class and as i scroll down the letters get more interesting ive been reading for about half an hour and i havent finished my paper and i just wanted to thank everyone on this site for posting these messages thank you

My precious little man passed away on october 12, 2005 @ Children's Hospital in St.Louis MO. The decision to donate his organs was already made by him, when he was 5 years old the doctors had told him that he was probably going to have to have a kidney transplant when he was a little older, he remarks to me were , mama if some one can give me a kidney then when i am gone i want to help someone too!! So when he passed away like I said the decision was made already, a little girl age 7 got his big heart, and a single mother of a seven year old son got his intestines and liver, and pancress. I know my son lives on in these people and I am so happy all is going well for them, I just want to know how to get in touched with them , and give them, both a big hug, and let the little girl know that my son's heart was sat on being a bullrider so i hope she likes bulls!!!! I would love to write to them or them write to me !! God Bless everyone and the organs donors, and please sign your organ donor card!! THANK- YOU

My beloved husband died July 21, 2006, and I donated his eyes, heart valve, and skin tissues so he is living on after his death. He was only 42 yrs old.

Our precious 10-year-old daughter Paige had a brain aneurysm on 9-20-06. She was declared brain dead within 18 hours. I always looked away from the organ donor billboards because the thought was too much to even consider. But when they told us our baby was gone, we knew that Paige would want to donate her organs. She was the most generous child I've ever known in life, and we knew that this decision was hers, made through us. She did not make it through the night to donate her organs, but was able to donate tissue. God Bless all the lost babies, mommies, daddies, and other loved relatives who've gone before us and given life to someone else.

My dad died 3 years ago (I'm 12) and he saved someone's sight by donating a cornea.

My Mom, Joyce Moss, 06/19/49--08/13/06, missed but not forgetten, is still giving even in death.

Our son, David, just graduated from high school on May 19, 2006. The morning after his graduation party, June 25, 2006, he was hit head on by a drunk driver and instantly brain dead. My husband and I made the easiest decision of our lives, we donated what organs had not been destroyed by the crash. We hope that David's love of life will impact many other families as it has ours.

On November 7, 2006, three days after my son's 17th birthday and three days before my 42nd birthday, I received a heart transplant. I was told on my son's birthday I would not be able to leave the hospital until I received a new heart. Instantly I thought of all the people who have had to wait weeks, months, even years. I prayed that if it was meant to happen it would, and not, well we tried. I called my family, the news came around 11pm, after they had left for the evening. My husband was optimistic. You see I had congestive heart failure, and my heart was failing rapidly. I had gone from 15% to 10% in one day. Just earlier that day I was depressed that I could not fix my son his breakfast in bed, which had been a tradition since he was born, and now i was worried that I might never be able to do it again. My husband called my Psi Iote Xi sisters, and prayer circles started all through my town. And three days later I was receiving my new heart. The heart of a 15- year-old. As I kissed my son before surgery, I cried realizing that their was a mother who could no longer do this. It's been seven months, and I am doing great! I am always willing to talk to others. It is my dream to educate the children in our schools, during drivers education, so that when they go to get their drivers licsence and are asked,"would you like to be an organ donor," they can make an educated decision.

My son Dakota received a heart transplant May 3,1998 at Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh. His donor was an 18 month old little girl and she was from Ohio. That was all we were told.We are very grateful for there wonderful gift and were saddened by there loss. If thet should ever want to contact us we would love to hear from them. Dakota is now 7 and has been doing very well.

This is my first time visiting this site.I enjoyed reading what others said.I was legally blind because of a eye disease called keratoconus.I thank God for that person who was a organ and tissue donor now I can see the green trees,sky,sand,smiles on people faces.Praise God for that person I don't know.

I am doing a research paper in my Senior English class, and I have chosen to write mine on the topic of organ donation. I have never had any serious medical problems and have not needed to have a transplant, but reading this helped so much. I am an organ donor and I see the importance of being one. What better gift is there to give than the gift of life? It's a case of supply and demand, and sadly, there's more demand than supply. How could anyone choose not to be a donor? But for those who are..I say thank you. How unselfish and thoughtful it is to give. The stories here have touched me, and I hope that my paper will help those in my class who oppose organ donation, to change their minds. It is such a beautiful thing, and I hope more people will join in and become donors. Thanks.

My daughter Chelsea and I had a conversation about organ donation a couple of months before a hit and run driver caused her death in August 2003. We both agreed that we would want to donate, we even laughed about it saying we weren't going to need them anyway after we're gone. I initiated the conversation because I really wanted her to know MY wishes, never did I dream that her father and I would be faced with her donation. Chelsea donated her heart and her liver August 11 and although I miss her very much I know a part of her lives on, which she would have wanted. I hope to have her story MTS web page in the near future so that you may know more about her. May God Bless her recipients with great health and happy lives.

I am one of the individuals in the background: I am the flight coordinator for many of MTS's life-saving missions. Even when I get the call at three in the morning that MTS has an organ transplant, I am thrilled. What an amazing world we live in that our leaving it now gives others the possibility to stay.

My son Vincent Maurath received a liver transplant on 2/2/00. I am very thankful for all the people involved, due to this procedure I have my son today. He's our miracle child that we love very much.

I have had my kidney transplant for 25 yrs. this April. I am very thankful for this gift, even though the meds(old Immuran and Prednisone!) have caused me problems...but I am thankful I have never had an episode of rejection. The drs. told me that this means my kidney could last indefinitely. I never got to thank my donor family because back then, you couldn't contact them at all. I feel some part of my transplant experience is missing because of this. I was born with Medullary Cystic Kidney Disease which is quite rare...I have tried to find out all I can about it, which isn't much. My sister also has it and we both have kidney transplants. I wish I could find a recipient with experiences similar to mine or find out if there are any patients out there who have had their kidney transplant for 25 yrs. or longer. I give thanks to God when I can drink a glass of refreshing water, watch my nieces grow or most anything a lot of people take for granted. I have gotten to do many things I could not have done without my transplant-so, I want to thank my donor family-wherever they are for the gift of life. God Bless all the families who have to make such agonizing decisions!! If I can help anyone along the way, I am more than happy to do so...it is part of my way of giving back what has so generously been given to me. God bless you all!!!

My daughter, Ashleigh, age 10, had a liver transplant in April 2001. She suffered from Alpha I Anti-Trypsin Deficiency. Ashleigh only waited 8 weeks for her new liver and is now doing wonderful. I wanted to say thank you to her donor family and all other donor families for their awesome gift of life.

I am now in seventh grade, but in fourth grade, for those that now kevin musslewhite, his body began to reject his heart. He was a fun loving person. I happened to be one of his best friends for the past few years. I was crushed when he died. He was a great person and loved to talk to people. For those that knew him, knew that Kevin Thomas Musslewhite was a great person and is now missed by everyone.

My five year old daughter, Lauren, received a liver transplant on July 12, 2001. She is doing great, and thanks to God and the donor family she also has a second chance at life. Thank you to all the familes who have donated their loved ones organs - you truely are God's angels.
Melanie

On June 13, 2001 my brother Stephen K McNabb died at age 44 from a sudden heart attack. The only donations he could make were long bones, skin and eyes. I hope who ever received his beautiful green eyes can see all the love thru them.

My daughter was one of a many children and adults who come together in death, to be some of the greatest heroes of our country.
My daughter Chilua Dawn Redd was hit by a car on April 2, 1998 and died of brain death the following day. At the age of 7 1/2 my daughter decided herself to donated her organs and she was very adiment as to what her choice was that day, which was only 2 weeks before the fatal accident that took her life.
As a parent I knew what I wanted to do if that time came to me and my family also knew that my wishes were to be a donor, but my child----now I just did not want to hear her tell me what her wishes were at all. My words to her now still 3 yrs later ring in my ears- "YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO TELL ME", little did I know just why God had her tell me that day, and make sure that I totally understood her wishes.
My children were raised in a good Christian home and I knew that my daughter, whose name meant-"Heavenly Angel" or "Angel from Heaven",was a child that knew her Bible well, and knowing this made losing her to heaven a little bit easier.I have corresponded to the family of the child that got her heart and have recieved a package with hand drawn pictures in it. I am truly glad to know that a part of my child lives today and that her heart is beating daily in a little girl whom is only 6 months younger than her.
Her organs were transplanted and helped several others and this was what her wish was that day.
One of Chilua's first phrases was " I SAVE WORLD MOMMY-I SAVE WORLD"----She may not have saved the world but her loving attitute and a desire to always help others made it possible for me to give the gift of life to others through her.
The workers at MTS have been wonderful to work with and I am thankful to be able to consider them "friends".
If interested my daughter's story can be found on the donor stories web site for MTS,www.mts-stl.org/donors/19.phtml. Her story is a story that you will need tissues for and you will need to set aside a "time to cry".

Renee'Brown
Bolivar, MO 65613
Chilua Dawn Redd's Mother

My husband, Toby Perschbacher, died due to complications from a motorcycle accident in which I was riding mine behind him. I loved him as much as anyone could love another human being. When he was declared brain dead, this beautiful angel of a person named Breita Church appeared & tactfully talked to our family about organ donation. I have always been a donor & found that Toby had been registered. Her tact along with Brian Bush, turned a very heartbreaking situation into a living legacy that enabled Toby to live on in others. Although I don't know who the recipients are, I hope that at some point they will feel the need to contact me so that we can know how they are doing. We know that a man in Detroit received his heart. What a heart he got! My sincere heartfelt thank you to all that were involved. It has been of great comfort for me and all of Toby's family and friends. Thank you.

Today is my son Kelvin birthday he would have been 18 today. But sadly he was killed last year on July 7th. But I praise God that my husband and I made him an organ donor and now five people have another chance at life. So on today I chose to celebrate Kelvin life.

My 11 year od daughter, Lacey, was killed in an auto accident August 8, 1997. My husband and her two sisters along with all our extended family miss her so much. Her Father and I made the decision of donating her organs and have never regretted that decision. It has brought us comfort in knowing that other lives have benefited from our tragic loss. We have only heard from one recepient, David from Ohio who received a kidney. He is doing well. We would love to hear from other recepients just to know how they are doing. I pray that they are well.

Hello! My 8-year-old daughter, Tiffany, has cystic fibrosis and was placed on the lung transplant list in July 2000. She is doing well right now, loves school and gets straight A's. She also loves animals, collects elephants, has a security blanket named "Milton" and enjoys watching WWF wrestling. We have a fund set up for her at the National Transplant Assistance Fund (http://www.transplantfund.org) We have been doing some fundraising for her, but are just starting out. We can use your ideas, donations, time, prayers and support in any and every way! Please E-mail us if you can help! Thanks!

My sweet mother passed away suddenly February 10, 2000. My family and I knew that she would want to help others, so she became an organ/tissue donor. Now, two recipients have had their eyesight fully restored and are now seeing through her beautiful blue eyes.

Losing my Mother has been the hardest thing I have ever had to face, but knowing that she has helped others, brings comfort through all the sorrow.

My husband and I have already discussed organ and tissue donation and we both know it's the right thing to do. I encourage everyone to have this very important conversation with their loved ones. It makes it so much easier if the time ever comes for them to decide.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the donors, their families and the recipients and their families. God bless you all.

After almost two years, I'm finally here.I lost my wife of 23 years to breast cancer. Her corneas were donated to help someone else see. I could pick those eyes out in a crowd of hundreds. Last I had heard, which was over a year ago, all was well with the receipts. Yes,two people benefited from this tragic event that took place in our lives.
I'll continue this story with the better side of things. My daughter received a liver transplant just twelve days before the passing of my wife. She's doing very well and is growing so quickly. She's five and has a brother that is 11, they've both been through so very much in the past five years. Along the way we've grown to really appreciate that others really do care.
We have also learned how organ donation can change lives, not just ours, but alot of lives. Organ donors and their families give the ultiment gift,LIFE. More people should consider organ donation as a way for life to continue. I'm not real good with words, but will go on to say that we met the receipent of the heart comming from the same donor while we were in the hospital. We exchange mail and they are also doing well. Emmmmm,organ donation really does work! Our family also corresponds directly with the family of the donor. I keep them updated to my daughters health and how things are going with school. Also we like to know what's going on in their lives since all this took place. They too have a common intrest in promoting organ donation. We were miles apart -- them at a very sad event and us at a more cheerful event.
I know these details are sometimes hard to deal with for others. I'm only telling it like it is. With a small amount of space, I wanted to make it count! Hey,"HEAVEN KNOWS" You don't need them here -- PLEASE, consider organ donation. Talk it over with family, friends and anyone else who'll listen. Oh, Thanks to all those at MTS for your continued efforts which never go unnoticed in our EYES.

On January 10th, 2001 I lost my beautiful wife to an anuerysm at her brain stem. She was a healthy 32 year-old mother of 2 and we had just gotten married July 15th,2000. When the doctors told us that she was brain dead and had no chance of recovering, I made the decision to make her an organ donor. It was not a hard one to make because we had already talked about this subject.

It was 2 weeks to the day after her death that I received a letter from MTS that most of her organs had been placed. She has helped 5 people already in just 2 WEEKS!! This makes me very proud of myself and her because I am an EMT and she was a NURSE, she took care of people before, and she is STILL teaking care of people NOW!!!

I am looking foward to someday meeting the recipients of her organs and to tell them how special she was to me.

If anyone has second thoughts of being a donor, please lean toward donating, because there are a lot of people for that "GIFT OF LIFE".

Michael Cunningham

Our daughter, Barbara, age 16, suffered brain death on Oct.29, 2000 following a car accident. We had discussed organ donation as a family only two weeks before. Barbara was such a light in every area of her life. She was a gifted, beautiful, (both inside & out) Christian girl who LIVED her beliefs. We were so blessed to have her those short years. She would be so happy that she helped 5 people to live! I encourage you to sign your donor card and discuss your wishes with your family members.

On May 7th 1998 our world was turned upside down we lost our 12 year old son to Muscular Dystropy. The night he died the nurse came out of the emergency room and asked us if we would like to donate Corey's eyes. My husband and I had to think about it but we decided that someone deserved the right to see all the beautiful things that our son had the privilage of seeing. It is our understanding that 2 people got the gift of sight thanks to our wonderful son. In a way is it comforting to know that a part of Corey lives on. If by chance a receipent happens to see this we would love to hear from you.
Robert and Patty Brown

We lost our 18 year old daughter in a tragic car accident on October 16, 2000. It was probably the worst day of my life. One way I knew would help me get through this was that Thea could help others live on. Donating her organs and tissue was probably the hardest decision I have ever made, but I really didn't think twice about it. To know that some good has come out of her death helps me tremendously. One of the hardest things is that she left behind an 8 month old daughter, who I'll treasure forever.

Kathy

I was assigned to write a persuasion paper for my tenth grade english class. We could choose our own topics. I decided Organ Donation! I don't understand why people would NOT donate his or her organs! It saves many other's lives! I am a tenth grader and the moment i get my liscense I will have Organ Donor added to it. There is one thing i would like to find out...I would like to know the # of donors each year for the past five years. If anyone has that information please contact me. Reading sites and sites I have realized that it is an honor to donate your organs and I would like to be a part of that. And I am going to try to convince a class of 30 to donate their organs also to save lives. And to the families of the donors. I am honored at what descision you have made because my grandfather is blind and I know that he would do anything if he could have his eyesight to see what my sister or I looked. It makes me feel warm inside to know that when I die I will help others!
live. Thank you very much for touching me in my heart.
Ashley (Chipbrave@aol.com)
Please email me if you have any comments or suggestions for my assignment. In the subject line please type "ORGAN DONORS" Thank you very much

I'm currently awaiting a double lung transplant, Iv'e only been on the list about six months, but I wonder everyday if someone like myself has received their gift of life. I wonder if there is anyway you can keep us up to date on how many are being done. I know as of about the third week of july 34 double lung transplants had been preformed there at Barnes, and wonder what the total is ytd. now ?

I come from a family of ten individuals that have hereditary kidney failure. It's a great feeling to get a new lease on life through transplantion. When I watch my family suffer I don't cry , I just continue to pray because I was one of the more fortunate one's to have recieved a kidney transplant, June 19, 1990. Through all of my families suffering and wanting to give up because of the painful mental effect that kidney disease can cause. I know that God keeps me strong for my family, and others that I can be a mentor to. Stay Strong, Focused, and Thankful, for those who have had successful transplants. For you've been given more than just a new lease on life, you've been given a new hope.
Veronica Hayes

This message is for those who have received organs.

I lost my only child on Nov. 1, 1999, when he was only 17. It is the worst thing any parent can imagine. But let me tell you how much it means, at least to me, to know that my son's life was not "wasted". The automobile accident ended his life, but allowed 5 others to continue theirs. This is a BIG consolation in my grief. My son was such a caring young man with so much love in his heart for others, that I know he is smiling at me from heaven and proud of the decision I made.

Although I have not yet written to the recipients, I look forward to hearing from them. Each recipient was connected to my son in some way. Whether it was the love of bowling, or a counselor for a drug rehabilitation center there was some connection. I found it consoling to know the smallest details about the recipients.

If you are having trouble writing, I guess I want to say... Reach out! It doesn't matter what you say, your words will be cherished no matter how you say it. It was hard for me to lose my son, but it's even harder not to hear from the recipients.

I may be different, but hoping for a letter is a chance I am willing to take.

May God Bless You All.
Joe's mom

My 6 year old son Jordan died due to drowning 2 weeks ago tomorrow. When we were handed papers asking to donate at the hospital, my first thought was "absolutely not...they're not going to cut my son to pieces." Then I had a second thought. Two years ago this month, my son Ryan died 9 days after his birth and he had a heart condition that would have required him to have a heart transplant. I thought about that and how I would have wanted another mother to make this painful decision. Her child would have saved mine. I decided to agree to the donation. Since Jordan was not brain dead and on a ventilator, we couldn't donate everything we wanted to, but I do get some sense of relief just knowing that maybe my son will help someone else, even in death.
Rhonda Turner

Was a volunteer for the drag races on Saturday and of course got drowned out! It was still fun and when one attends these events it is great to renew old friends and meet new ones.

Bilateral lung transplant, June 12, 1999

Yesterday was my father's first birthday since his heart transplant. Because of the incredible courage and generosity of his donor family we have had one more year with him (we hope for many more). I just want to say Thank You to all the wonderful people who in their darkest time can think of saving others. It is the greatest gift.............life.

I would like to thank the staff and particularly Tereasa Parks-Thomas, for taking the time to "honor" my father, Stanley Beck. After receiving his heart transplant, he was on his own crusade for donor awareness. I was extremely proud of my Dad's drive & support of both the MTS Program & the Heart Transplant Support Group from Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Some of my father's best friends came from his association with these groups. He and my mother made the most of the extra 12 years he received, as a result of his transplant. Of those 12 years, I have to say 10 were great, he got to see the birth of 3 grandchildren, take wonderful trips, including 1 with the whole family to Disney World. But most of all spend some quality time with my mother. My dad felt the need to give back. Which he did, by getting involved with heart transplant receipents, their families and their needs. He took all of this to "heart". Once Again, THANK YOU for your wonderful and touching tribute.

Sincerely, Joel Beck

Kidney Transplant December 26, 1994
Just discovered this site and wish to volunteer in my area. I thank God for the wonderful parents who donated their 18 year old child's organs--especially at Christmas in 1994. Although I wrote to them after my transplant, I never heard back from them. I am sure it was their worst nightmare, but I hope they realize what a gift they gave! I am doing great and will see my son graduate from high school this June!

I just wanted to share about my experience over the past month. My wife, 33 yo, mother of 2, just had a liver transplant Sept. 8, 1999. She had always been healthy and never as much as had a headache. Due to some prescription medicine for bladder infection, her liver was traumatically damaged. I give God all the thanks and Glory for saving my wife and my children's mother. I also thank the donor family for the gift that they gave. We intend on sending a letter to them in the near future. Also thanks to MTS and the volunteers there for the services they provide. May God richly Bless each and everyone out here on this site and to all the donors around the world!

My son Chase was ran over by an 18 year old girl June 1, 1997. He passed away June 3, 1997. During those hours that passed I realized that if there was one thing that I could do for Chase to honor his memory it would be to stop another parent from suffering the loss of their child. Being a parent that not only lost one child but to lose my oldest child sixteen months later I would not wish that type of heartache to any parent. I had several family members and friends that supported my decision but I had some who did not. I do know that the transplants do not always save the life. But if I could give them even five minutes more. I know what I would give for five minutes with either of my children. I hope every parent feels that way. Please sign your donor card today.

I would like to thank MTS & all of the wonderful donor families who attended the unveiling of our race cars on Monday. These Super Comp Dragsters carry a very important message "Are you an organ and tissue donor?" We hope that anyone who sees these race cars at the track will sign on and share their decision with their family before they leave the track. Our NHRA Championship Drag Racing family is excited that while racing all over the country we can help change things one person at a time. I am an organ donor and encourage all of my friends in racing to join me in this worthwhile endeavor!

On September 25, 1986, Doug Mortonsen, a 21 year-old newlywed of 3 days was killed on his way home in a motorcycle accident. My sister, Lisa had diabetes since age 5 and at age 27 in 1986, was near death from rapidly deteriorating kidneys. On September 27, 1986, Lisa was the recepient of one of Doug's kidneys and of his pancreas. Lisa was able to live a productive life for 5 additional years, having died 5 years to the day that she had received the gift of life. September 27, 1991. Doug's decision to become a donor not only prolonged my sister's life 5 years, he saved mine.

How?

Because during the 5 years my sister lived with his precious gift, I, myself, had become horribly addicted to alcohol and drugs. I came periously close to dying on several occasions. The only thing that kept me alive during some of those times was Lisa. Without her, I would not be typing this today. So, Doug not only prolonged Lisa's life, he saved mine as well.

Thanks, Jackson Lloyd

I would like to share something I saw on the Leeza Gibbons talk show. She brought together organ donor families and receipients. A seventeen-year old boy received the heart of a child that had been killed in an automobile accident. He had a gift for the child's mother. It was an ultrasound picture of the heart now inside of him, this mother's deceased child's heart. It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen, and would give anything to have an ultrasound of my daughter's heart. We have not heard from the man who received her heart. She was killed in an automobile accident Easter weekend, 1998. What I wouldn't give to feel her heart beat. We did hear from the person who received her lungs, and it was so good to know that person was doing well. While it might be hard for many people to write to the donor families, one thing should be kept in mind. All we want to know is how the person is doing-it is not thanks we want-thanks are not necessary. Our thanks come in the form of knowing we have given the gift of life and shared a part of our loved one. God Bless those who take the time to write the donor families and let them know how they are doing.

My kidney transplant was March 1, 1997 I Thank God everyday for the new gift of life. To the donor maybe someday I will know who it was and personally thank their family. My wife and I volunteer for M.T.S to give presentations in making more aware of Organ/Tissue Donation. We will speak to any group or anyone who has received a transplant wishing to know more. We have had excellent response in Southern Illinois, with all Churches, Home Extension and 4-H Groups, and the numerous of others. If we can't give you the answers, we know the wonderful staff of Doctors, nurses, coordinators and the many others that will help. May God Bless Them and Each of You. Thanks again to the donor family for giving me my gift and taking me off of the Dialysis Machine. djm & mjm

March 24, 1997, my ex-husband, the father of my sons, died due to a tragic accident. But one thing helped us all. His unselfishness, of the donation of his organs, hopefully saved one or more lives. He was a loving and caring man. We do not know any of the recipiants or where any of the organs went. But all of you are in our prayers and may God Bless you all. Myself and my sons are also donors. May this message help to convience someone else to become a donor.

Dear Friends... Please help spread the word...Little 10 year old Kevin Musslewhite was one of the first 20 babies to have a heart transplant at 10 weeks old. Now this week end due to some unexplained event, his body began to reject that h art. He is in desperate need of an donor heart...If you need more information please contact Loma Linda Children's Hospital in Loma Linda California.....Thank you!!!

I understand the poeple who are waiting on organs. My daughter had a tranplant Oct. 18 1996. It was the longest wait my family had ever had. My daughter was born sick. She has had over 23 surgeries and she is only 9 yrs old. They started at birth but now, thank god, she has had the last one. Her picture is on a billboard and it says "An organ donor saved my life". There is such a thing as miracles. We have the proof, we look at her everyday. Whoever the family is that the organ came from, we think about them and still pray for them each day. Thank you and you are in our prayers always.

Today I went to a MTS volunteer meeting. That is how I celebrated my 60th B-day. There would have been no celebration if it were not for my liver transplant. Oct 2, 1994. God bless you donor family!!!

On March 5th of last year, I received the precious gift of life. I received a beautiful "new" liver. I had been lying in bed for close to a year, slowly dying. Day by day, my two children and my husband had to watch me drift away. I had severe encephalopathy which had made me incoherent. I couldn't even make sense most of the time when I tried to talk to my family. It's like a year of my life just totally blanked out for me. I have just celebrated my "first" birthday of my new life. I have had no problems whatsoever with my health at all, and I've felt better than I have in years. All of my relatives from coast to coast had been praying for a miracle and they finally received their answer. A wonderful "angel" saved my life, thanks to his or her family making their wishes known. I sent them a letter at Christmas telling them how much their angel's gift has meant to me and my family. I wanted to let them know I was thinking of them and how it would be so difficult during their first Christmas without their loved one. This miracle of organ donation is truly amazing!! Thanks for this opportunity to tell my story. I would like to participate in the "stories" part of your web-site. I want others to see what can be done by "passing it on"!

"I was touched by some of the stories, and eventually maybe I can finish mine. It's kind of difficult to relive in your mind those times again. There is a 17-year-old boy I'm working with that was put on the liver transplant list in December of last year. I've been talking to him alot; he asks lots of questions. I hope I'm helping him. I'll be sure and pass the website information on to him as well. Thank you for all your help and devotion with transplantation; it meant the world to me."

"This is such a wonderful service. Thank you for letting me express my opinions"

"I would like to thank the staff at MTS for taking such good care of my Grandmother"