The world was just opening its doors to me as a college senior when sudden, severe kidney disease unexpectedly shut them. Because my donor family chose organ donation those doors reopened, and I have fully embraced life…enjoyed a meaningful career, became a mom to my dear son, Nicholas, and am blessed to be married to my high school sweetheart, Jerry.
After more than two decades my transplant failed, and I began the scary wait for another kidney. This time more than five years passed without a suitable donor until my childhood friend, Maureen offered to be tested…and she matched. December 1st marks the 1st anniversary of our living donor surgeries. I have now experienced the Gift of Life from both living and deceased donors and each has been a humbling experience.
I will never be able to show my endless gratitude to my first donor family. I only know that my donor was a 20-year-old boy killed in a car accident. I think of him as someone’s beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend, sweetheart who chose to help a stranger. As for Maureen, I am privileged to be able to call her anytime to thank her. I am living my life to help others as a small way of repaying those who gave life back to me.
Amy is surely not the only one to be blessed by the incredible gifts given by her donors. Without them all of us that know and love Amy would have a void where we now have her wonderful presence. How does a person say a proper “thank you”?.