GIFT OF LIFE STORIES
Donor Stories
Alicia Pyron Bonnie Newman Brent Adams Brian DeBoer Dr. Daw Khin Myint Jackie Barton Janeen Ganahl Louis Armani Silva Mikhail McCurdy Trevor Frisch Trevon Johnson Tyler Jonathan Carey
Recipient Stories
Carol Katie Berger Naedean Tong Tong
Alicia’s Story
With love from Alicia and her mom
A little over four years ago, my daughter came home from school and announced that she was calling a family meeting. She was a few months short of 18 years old.
Her name was Alicia and she was determined. Earlier that day at school they had an assembly for the seniors, and several subjects were covered including blood donations for the Red Cross and the increasing need of organ donors.
I wasn't at the assembly, but they touched my daughter’s heart and at her sense of duty. She literally marched in that night and after gathering the family, announced that no one should leave this world without giving another person a chance of life. She then passed out little pink dots, that we were to stick on the back of our drivers licenses and a small donor card she expected us to fill out immediately.
She said it didn't matter how old, or sick, or worn out we might think we were. What mattered was that we didn't leave this earth without at least trying to help.
She couldn't have known that two weeks later that she would be the one we would be saying goodbye to. I almost didn't tell the hospital of her wishes, I had asked the rest of the family to go home, and I stayed behind to be with her when they turned off her life support. I walked my parents to their car, and as I reentered the hospital I overheard another family mourning their 18-year-old daughter who had just passed away because she never received the heart transplant she needed. A donor had never been found. I truly believe that Alicia wanted me to hear that conversation and it was then that I knew it never had been my decision to make. It had been Alicia’s dying wish.
It was the last wish that I could grant her. I know she would be proud to know that other people are living better lives because of her. I know it gives me peace knowing that her request was honored. And I know she watches not only over us but over you also—and she is smiling.
May God keep you safe and happy.
With love from Alicia and her mom.
Bonnie Newman
Reflections from Her Life Partner
I woke up this morning and I was thinking about Bonnie’s life and how it was filled with love and joy and compassion. It’s a tremendous honor for all of us to … pay tribute to her and to acknowledge the gift she gave to others through her death. It’s actually a perfect reflection of who she was and a perfect expression of the type of person she was, always wanting to care for others.
On behalf of Bonnie’s family and friends, I want to say thank you to OneLegacy. I can’t express the gratitude that we feel for your compassion and sensitivity to us in the hospital during this tragic event and how we had to come together and make decisions about things we don’t want to think about… It was really hard to make that decision, but we knew that’s what Bonnie wanted. The beauty of your communication and your care for us was to hold our hands through the process and tell us, “You’re going to be with her every step of the way,” and that you’re going to make sure she’s treated with the honor and dignity and respect that was reflected in her life.
Bonnie’s life has touched so many people and now she’s able to give life to others. I found out this morning where her organs went to three other people. We also did tissue donation for corneas. She has such beautiful sparkling eyes, it’s wonderful to think that she’ll be giving sight to someone else that can look through the beauty of her eyes and how she saw life. It’s good to know her spirit and energy and love for life gets to live on in other people and bring happiness to their families. I know that now she’s left the natural life, she’s dancing and laughing and singing in her heavenly body and is free from the pain of life.
I want to share an experience we had at the hospital. Bonnie was pronounced technically brain dead on October 15th, and the hospital staff kept her on life support so this donor program could work at its highest level. I was the one that had the privilege of holding Bonnie’s hand as we rolled her hospital bed to the emergency room to say goodbye to her. I couldn’t leave the hospital without standing in the parking lot waiting for the helicopter to take off and take Bonnie’s gift of life to someone else. We gathered in the parking lot, there must have been 15 or 20 of us, and Tracy from OneLegacy, who had been in the operating and keeping us posted on everything, came out and stood with us. As the helicopter blades started to revolve on top of the hospital building, we could see the red lights reflecting in the blades. It made sort of a red neon star, kind of an angelic thing. The blades started rotating faster and faster and finally lifted off the hospital roof and flew off to the west for UCLA to give life to somebody else. We stood there and shouted out and waved goodbye to Bonnie: “We love you! We miss you!” What a beautiful tribute to be able to say goodbye to her.
In life, Bonnie didn’t give birth to her own child, but in her death she gave life to others. There’s nothing greater that we can do, to allow our lives to live on in the hearts of others and in the bodies of others.
I know that this has changed my personal thoughts about being an organ donor. I have no fear of it now. I’m going to fill out my form and make sure my family knows so that they don’t have to make these difficult decisions without knowing my wishes.
Bonnie contributed so much to us in her life, and she’s going to continue teaching us lessons in how we honor her spirit and her memory.
Lt. Bondell Golden.
Bonnie's life partner
Brent's Story
When I was expecting my second child my doctor told me that I was having a girl who was due the first week in December. I was surprised on Nov. 3, 1990, a month early, when I gave birth to my SON, Brent, and in total shock when his twin brother, Nicholas, was born 18 minutes later.
They were typical twins, complete opposites. Brent was the fearless leader and Nick was the cautious, protective follower. Brent was all sunshine. He totally embraced life, believing that he knew everything and could do anything, that nothing was beyond his grasp. He found only the positive in even the worst situations and would do or give anything he could to help others or make them happy, very often putting their needs and happiness before his own. He understood and enjoyed the true spirit of giving. It is with these thoughts that I made the most difficult decision of my life, but one that I have never regretted.
On April 13, 1998 Nick came home from school and announced that Brent had been hit by a car. Nothing could have prepared me for the shock of finding my 8 year old son, laying in the street 90 feet from the crosswalk. We found out later that a woman, already an hour late for work, accelerated through a red light and barely missed Nick but hit Brent.
Brent was such a fighter and loved life so much it never entered my mind that he wouldn’t survive—even when he was airlifted to the hospital or when my family was led to a private waiting room, away from others. When we were told that he was brain-dead I understood what it meant but didn’t want to accept it. When we were finally allowed to see Brent I could actually feel that he was no longer with us. I knew that “the organ donor people” would want to speak to me and I didn’t want to see them, but I did.
Lisa from [OneLegacy] was extremely compassionate and patient. She made sure that we understood what had happened to Brent, the organ donation program and procedures and the options that we had. My husband and I had agreed on organ donation for ourselves but never imagined we’d have to consider it for one of our five sons.
We needed time to think about it. While discussing it with my family, my sister Terry pointed out that Brent was such a giving child she was sure he would want to leave this last gift. It reminded me of when Brent learned that my friend’s toddler was blind and asked if he could give him one of his eyes so the child could see. I also asked myself how I’d feel if one of my children NEEDED an organ—I’d certainly hope it would be available.
We decided to donate Brent’s major organs and have never regretted it. In fact, it gives me a sense of peace knowing that Brent did not die for nothing. Brent’s organs helped five people. We have met and communicate often with one of Brent’s organ recipients and occasionally write and speak to another. I feel very close to them because we share something very special – Brent.
I believe that losing a twin is worse than losing a child. I doubt that Nick will ever feel whole again but knowing that five people are still alive because of his twin has helped him to find some peace.
Brent once wrote that he wanted to help people when he grew up. He didn’t get the chance to grow up but he did get the chance to help some very special people by giving the most precious of gifts.
May God be with you ALWAYS,
Toni Adams and “Angel Brent”
Brian's Story
Brian was 18 years old and full of life. He was a freshman in college with a bright future ahead. On April 17, 2000 he was in a car accident. Brian was in a coma with multiple injuries and was declared brain dead by the end of the week.
When the hospital staff approached us about donating Brian’s organs, we knew we had to honor his wish. One month before the accident, in a conversation with his Grandma, Brian told her he wanted to donate his organs when he died. He also expressed this wish among his close friends and on his driver’s license donor card. There was no question, this is what Brian wanted.
Brian unselfishly gave the gift of life. Through his death he was able to enhance and save the lives of many others. Even though he has gone home to be with the Lord, a part of him will always live on in the lives he has touched. We have received beautiful, touching letters from some of his organ recipients. They said it’s hard to put their gratitude into words; they are so thankful they’ve been given a second chance at life. Their expression of love for Brian and us as his family are heartwarming.
Brian’s choice to be an organ donor has given new meaning to his death and has helped us to begin the long healing process that lies ahead. We, as his family, have also chosen to be organ donors and give the Gift of Life. We will always be proud of Brian, in life and in death. He is our hero and his legacy will never be forgotten.
Denise Rosas
Brian's Mom
Dr. Daw Khin Myint
“This last gift…is an everlasting testament of her character.”
Our beloved mother Khin was a woman with great talent, courage, dignity, compassion, and generosity. Her journey of life began on August 30, 1943. As a young girl, she attended all public schools in Burma, a former British commonwealth country, and actively participated in numerous athletic activities. She excelled in school and had a profound interest in medicine. When it came time for her to decide what career to pursue, she was not a bit fazed to enter a profession that was predominantly male back in the early ‘60s. Needless to say that she did not follow the traditional path of becoming a school-teacher as her family had wished. After receiving her doctorate degree in medicine, she married my father to start a family and set up a medical clinic in a relatively underserved community. She selflessly gave her services and resources to the poor and to people of non-profit religious institutions regardless of their faith. At the missionary nearby, she was the only female physician for them to turn to for any medical needs. She enjoyed what she did and was compassionate towards everyone she came in contact with.
One evening in August of 2002, I was on the phone with Mom. As usual, she asked about my well-being and we chatted for over an hour about the weather, her potted plants, and her most recent activities. Everything was normal and we hung up. Little did she, I or anyone know that that was going to be our last conversation between us. A few hours after we talked, I received a call from my sister that my mother had been hospitalized and that she was critically ill. When I got to the bedside, even though the doctors had said she would not wake up again, it seemed as though she was just sleeping. She had multiple brain aneurysm ruptures and the bleeding had done extensive damage to the brain that she was no longer responsive to any of the clinical tests. Those hours spent waiting at the hospital for the second neurosurgeon’s analysis were very difficult. We prayed and hoped that she’d be able to come home with us should the second opinion be different. After long hours of agonizing over her condition, we heard the much-feared confirming results. Everything came crushing down including, our sanity, conscience and souls.
We were approached by an advocate from OneLegacy and briefed about consideration for donating her organs. The idea of having a chance to prolong, or even save, someone else’s life really appealed our hearts even though we didn’t want to take Mom off the life-support, especially not on the day before her 59th birthday. We asked ourselves what Mom would have wished to have done with her organs. There is no doubt that she had been a giver all her life, and in every single account of her givings, she never expected anything in return. After gathering our strength and judgment as much as we could, we consented for procurement of some of her organs. Her liver was the first organ that came to our thoughts since that was one much needed by our late father. We wanted someone’s father, husband, wife, mother, daughter or son to have more time to spend with their loved ones. The following day we said our final good-byes to Mom before the surgery. Yes, it was very painful for us to let her go on her birthday and still is. But along with these indelible memories is that someone got a chance to live because of Mom. As a physician, she had cared for so many people in her life and this last gift she made is an everlasting testament of her character.
In memory Dr. Daw Khin Myint…
By the surviving family members
Jackie's Story
Donor mom Doris Meyer recalls "my little Jackie"
Jackie was 14 when she died. She was my only child.
Jackie loved life, she jumped in with both feet. Jackie was a member of the Long Beach Jr. Concert Band and a member of the Stage Band and Orchestra at Bell Intermediate School. She played Bobby Sox softball from age 6 to age 14 and she rode and showed Tennessee Walking Horses.
She was hit by a speeding car, which resulted in her brain trauma. She was transported to UCI Medical Center in Orange. When I arrived at the hospital I was told she was in a coma and that more testing was being ordered to determine the extent of her injuries. I initially approached the doctors about donation and was told that was premature. After 7 days in PICU an apnea study was performed and her brain death diagnosis was confirmed.
I was approached about donation and at that time I said no, even though I have had a donor designation on my drivers license since I started driving at age 16. It was ok for me but not for “my little Jackie.”
I told the medical team I had questions that needed answering if I were to consider donation. I had a meeting with OneLegacy (then known as ROPA) and my family and friends to answer questions. After that conference I signed the consent form.
I decided to donate so that other families would not have to suffer the pain I was suffering. As a Christian I knew that God did not need Jackie's organs to resurrect her nor did the grave need her organs.
I have never regretted my decision to donate and take every opportunity that arises to share my story and encourage others to donate. Donating Jackie's organs was an alternative to total loss, and the two women who received her corneas still have their sight.
Janeen's Story
It was Janeen’s wish to be an organ donor. She expressed this wish just two weeks before the accident.
Janeen had an inspirational card in her room that said: It is the most important thing of all… the love in one’s heart.
She gave her loving heart everyday to those she met along life’s way. Janeen was love and love is a thing of beauty, like a rose within the soul.
Our precious Rose is now living in the hearts of those she touched…for nothing loved is ever lost—and she was loved so much.
Sincerely,
Sharron Roll
Janeen's Grandma
I Am The Rose
I am the rose
soft and pink
waiting for the wind to come and play
for only one day.
I am the rose
gentle and soft.
I wait for my petals to bloom.
When my petals bloom
they will lift up to the sky
and look as if they will fly.
My leaves are growing strange everyday
and other flowers I see
are growing bigger and bigger
as my color fades away.
By Janeen Ganahl, age 9
Catalina’s Story
Dedicated to the memory of my son, Louis Armani Silva
Dear Friends, this is my story
My name is Catalina. How and where do I start? On April 26th, 1993, I found out that I was pregnant with my first child. To my surprise, I was about 2 months pregnant. I had problems conceiving due to gynecological problems. I called my husband at the time and I can still remember his reaction. I think he fell off his seat! We had been trying for years. After some medical treatment I was finally able to fulfill my dream of being a mother. I remember having a wonderful pregnancy. I think I never felt better. I did not have any morning sickness or anything like that. I felt healthy and strong.
As time went on I felt more anxious to meet my baby. I wondered what he or she would look like. When my son was born it was the second surprise for us as we were expecting a girl. Nevertheless we were thrilled, although I was slightly disappointed because I had my mind set on girl. After looking at him for the first time I remember thinking and saying thank you God for a healthy baby. I remember looking at him and being in shock of knowing I was a mother. I could not believe that this boy was actually mine.
As little Louis grew, he was the apple of all of our eyes. Everyone would say that he had this angelic look to his face. He was a very bright boy. At the age of five, he knew how to count, write and even read some. He loved playing normal kid games but was very intrigued with playing chess and cards. I could not believe that at age five he knew how to play chess! He would beat me every time. He was kind, loving, gentle and so very sweet—not to mention incredibly handsome.
Sunday morning was the day I saw my precious son alive for the last time. It was the day that I felt my life practically ended. It was Memorial Day and little Louis’ daddy took him to a barbecue. I remember my son waiting by the window waiting for his daddy to pick him up. When he saw his dad pull up he dashed out the door to greet him, jumped in the car and waved goodbye.
Around 2 a.m. I got the dreadful call we all would hate getting. My ex-sister-in-law called and said to wake up and hurry to the hospital. I asked what was wrong and she said that Big Louis and Little Louis had suffered an accident. All the way to the hospital I remember praying to God that they were o.k. At this point I did not know how bad it was. We arrived at the hospital and were told by an officer and hospital staff to wait in a small cold room until they finished working on them. By this time I think my mind and body went into autopilot.
I remember the events that followed but it felt like some dream. After an hour passed I was finally taken to the intensive care unit where my son was. I remember seeing him lying there naked hooked up to tons of machines. His eyes were closed and he looked like an angel sleeping. His body and face looked intact. It was the weirdest thing. No cuts, no bruises, no blood—no apparent injuries. I took a deep breath, looked at the sky, and thanked God. My son looked perfectly fine in my eyes. I asked the nurse to tell me what was wrong and what his injuries were. The nurse just kept telling me that they were doing some tests. Hours passed and by this point I felt something was wrong. The nurse came in and asked if we wanted a family priest to come and pray for him.
After hours and hours of waiting for answers the doctor finally came in to give us the news. By this time all family and friends had gathered at the hospital to be with us. The doctor came in and said that there was nothing they could do for my little Louis. He was brain dead. I remember feeling like this was not happening. I thought that this had to be a mistake. Every thought went through my head like a flash! I thought of what he was wearing, his voice, laugh, and the way he would cry. The way he used to call me momma. I felt every moment of his life went through my head in seconds.
After a while of having this news sink in OneLegacy approached us. They asked me if I ever had considered possibly donating his organs. For a second I was shocked. I guess I didn't want to admit he was gone. I took a moment and started thinking what it meant to donate. I had never thought about something like this, especially for my son who was only five. I started thinking if my son or daughter or just anyone I loved were waiting for a donor I would want someone to help me. I also started thinking what type of human being Louis was. He was so loving and caring that I knew he would have wanted it this way. And right away I said yes. I don't regret it, not only did he save some lives but it helps me to think that part of Louis still lives on. This is comforting to some degree. I felt that the greatest gift to be given is the gift of life! And I am proud to say that my son gave that gift to three human beings. He is and will be my hero forever!
Thank you for listening to my story. As always, this is dedicated to the memory of my son, Louis Armani Silva.
Catalina M. Perez
Mikhail's Story
When I first learned that my three-year-old son, Mikhail, was officially brain dead, I remember the nurse that had been attending us for the last fifteen hours approaching me regarding possible organ donations. She then left me, wanting to give me some time to think about such an endeavor.
I remember all of my son’s generosity during his short life. I remember him going through his toys with me to find some to give away. He donated his outgrown bed to a little girl who had never had a bed to sleep in. Just days before his death, he had stood in the park with our church members on Thanksgiving, helping to serve the homeless.
I recalled all these things as I stood in that quiet room where Mikhail lay, with no sound but the quiet swoosh of his respirator. I mulled over their request for his organs. I fancied that I could hear him whispering, “Yes Mom, take my heart; take all those things that they need. For I don’t need them anymore.” These thoughts are what inspired my poem, which was later to be published “Take My Heart”.
It is difficult to just simply put words down out of context, without giving you a little of the story. What takes some people a lifetime to learn, my son had learned in three short years. The gift of giving is eternal and transcends all barriers of life or death.
It did not take me long to say the words out loud to this sweet nurse who stood quietly by. Yes! We would be willing to give what ever was needed. This is what my son would have wanted.
In that wintry December, while others were out shopping for material gifts for their loved ones, Mikhail was giving the gift of gifts. He gave his liver to a young baby and his kidneys to a teenager; so that they might be given a second chance at life.
People often ask me how I feel about my son’s organs being in someone else. My answer has always been the same… “Knowing that at least two lives were saved because of my son’s generosity gave his life and death full meaning. The devastation of losing my son at such a tender age was softened by the knowledge that someone else’s child would be given a new life.
While we know medically that the DNA of the organ donor and recipient will never be one, it is my feeling that spiritually speaking, the generosity of the donor and the special ness of the recipient will meld and become one. This special bond will pass from one generation to another and so much good will come from this meld.
People are concerned with the environment, and respond by recycling this and that. In my opinion, organ donation is recycling of the highest order.
Sincerely,
Dr. Stephanie K McCurdy/Pearson, D.C.
Trevor's Story
Losing our son Trevor was the most devastating time of our lives. We still feel that empty space inside. The one thing that has helped us fill that void is knowing that our son saved lives by being an organ donor.
I believe that everyone is put here on Earth to fulfill his or her own purpose. God kept him here long enough to fulfill his. Our son’s life was short here but our memory of him remains strong to us and to the families of those whose lives he saved.
Because our son passed on, we did not want another family to lose their child as well. Two precious girls would not have lived if not for Trevor being an organ donor. Because I keep in touch with them, I can see and feel a part of my son that grows with them.
The miracle of organ donation was a choice we made after all tests for three days showed that Trevor was brain dead. His body was shutting down and his tiny spirit no longer lived there; he had already gone to Heaven. He was such a healthy boy otherwise and his heart was very strong. I can say that everyone did their part to try and save him.
Our son just wasn’t meant to stay here with us. But a part of him still lives on in the lives of two little girls and forever in our hearts. We love and miss you, Trevor, until in Heaven we meet.
Kristine Frisch
Trevor's Mom
Trevon's Story
Reprinted from Riverside Press-Enterprise, 4/26/02
Constance Perry doesn’t want to know the people whose lives were saved when she donated her 10-year-old son’s organs. It is enough to know that something good came of her son’s death.
But on April 14, she worked up enough courage to attend a ceremony honoring those whose loved ones’ deaths could have given life to other people. The 2002 OneLegacy Inland Empire [Donor Recognition Ceremony] annual luncheon in Pomona brings together families or organ donors and some of the donor recipients.
Perry, a single mother, and her family hoped the event would bring closure to Trevon Johnson’s death. But while watching the doves being released during the luncheon, Perry was reminded of the doves that were let go during her son’s funeral. The grief of losing her youngest child had been as fresh as it was on July 3, 2001, when she gave permission to discontinue life support for Trevon. She caught a white feather that fluttered from the sky, and sobbed.
"I miss him every minute of the day," she said. But attending the event also reminded her that the decision to donate Trevon’s organs was the right thing to do. "I know this is what he would have done. Tre would have given his tennis shoes to someone who did not have tennis shoes."
Perry didn’t know who among the crowd of people might have received her child’s heart, lungs, kidney or liver. Earlier this year, she received an anonymous letter from a woman who had received his lungs.
"My husband and I have wonderful children and grandchildren. The transplant has meant that I can watch them all grow up and spend more time with my husband," the woman wrote.
Tyler Jonathan's Story
A donor mother reflects on her decision - and her child’s legacy
My name is Vicki Carey, and in 1995 I was involved in a serious car accident that took the life of my first child, Tyler Jonathan (T.J.).
I was in critical condition awaiting surgery when I was told the agonizing prognosis from Childrens Hospital Los Angeles: that T.J. was pronounced clinically brain dead.
My husband and I were compassionately told that even though T.J. was only one month old, that there were two other babies (each two months old) at the hospital that were themselves within days of dying if they did not receive heart and lung transplants. For my husband and I, the decision to have T.J. be a donor clearly stood out as being the right—the only—thing to do, especially if it meant giving the families of these babies hope, and possibly stopping them from having to go through this terrible nightmare that we were now faced with!
T.J.’s legacy includes Taylor Williams and Joshua Diaz, who will be turning eight years old in just ten days! All three of our families decided to meet, and that emotional experience is difficult to put into words. We continue to keep in touch, and all of us have shared our experiences to help others make informed decisions about organ and tissue donation.
Carol’s Story
With love for you and yours from A Most Grateful Recipient
To The Family of My Donor:
I cannot truly express to you the way that I feel, but I will try to the best of my ability. My heart is filled with sadness and I cry for you, for I know how it feels to lose one whom you love so very much. I know the mourning and grieving can tear you apart as you love so very much. I don’t even know how to begin to thank you… for in your time of sadness, you were so kind, loving, and giving as to allow this special person to become a donor. I pray for you every single day…that time and God’s love will ease the pain and help you to accept your loss. I hope it helps to know that, because of your kindness, a part of your loved one goes on living in another and allowing them to keep this love alive.
Most of us try to be good people and we sometimes think we cannot be much better than we are. And then someone like you comes into our life and we realize how grateful we are and that we can always do more. And I shall never give up. I will always keep trying to do just a little bit more and to be a better person...for you have given me that chance and I will cherish it every day of my life! Although I never met this loved one of yours, I, too will cherish them and keep their memory alive in my heart...forever!
I will take my medicines faithfully and do all that my doctors tell me in order to keep this precious gift alive. I will thank you and pray for you every day of my life. You have touched the hearts of so many who you do not even know and you have so unselfishly shared your love. I just cannot thank you enough! I feel so truly blessed that you have given me this chance to go on living at a time when I had given up hope and felt my life fading away.
Mere words could NEVER express how I feel. I wish there were more kind and loving people like you in this world and I hope that I can be one of them. My family cries, too, with happiness for me, but also sadness for your loss. Please try to understand that, although we do not know you, we will love you and you will be as much a part of our family as our own members. We will all keep you in our hearts and always in our prayers! With eyes full of tears and a heart full of love, I again say, “Thank you and may God bless and keep all of you!”
With love for you and yours,
A Most Grateful Recipient
Katie's Story
Katie was born on July 8, 2001. She was 8 lbs. 8 oz. And 20 inches long and she was perfect!
Approximately two weeks later she became jaundiced. Our primary care physician said it wasn’t a problem and that she would grow out of it.
In September 2001, UCLA Medical Center diagnosed Katie with biliary atresia. They performed the Kasai procedure on her and hoped it would work. Unfortunately, the procedure did not work, but it did “buy her some time.” The doctors were trying to get her bigger so she would be able to take a larger or split liver.
In January 2002, Katie was placed on the National Organ Transplant Waiting List. You can imagine our surprise when we got a call the day after she was put on the list! We were flown by Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter to UCLA. She was prepped for surgery but the split was too large for her.
We went home and waited. At a March visit to our doctor at UCLA, they decided she needed to be hospitalized due to her large stomach. She was so bloated she was having a hard time breathing and she wasn’t eating. The hospital stay did not improve the situation, so the doctors told us to expect to be there until she got a new liver.
Late in the afternoon of March 11, 2002, they took Katie to get a new liver! The surgery was very successful, although there were some complications after the operation. After having almost every problem possible, she got to leave the hospital on April 15th. We weren’t quite home yet; we had to stay in an apartment near UCLA because we lived too far away from the hospital.
Finally, on May 2nd, we got to go home! Katie is now 14 months old and is doing great. She is thriving and really started to grow after we left the hospital. She attended her first “Mommy and Me” swim classes in August and loves the water. She is almost walking and is a totally new child compared to the one she was before her transplant!
Amy Berger,
Katie's Mom
Naedean's Story
Thank you from our hearts, by Naedean's Grandparents
Dearest Donor Family,
I can’t tell you how many times I've started this letter to your family and somehow the words just never seemed right, and then I remembered how the donor coordinator said to “just write it down."
How does one begin to say thank you for the incredible gift that you have given our family. The excitement we felt at being the recipients of this wondrous gift was tempered with an incredible feeling of despair at the loss of another child that was making this miracle possible. Your pain at that moment must have been unbearable.
How do we say thank you? From our hearts…
One year ago we were so excited with the delivery of our little Naedean. Full smiles almost from the beginning until around the age of 4 months, when it became apparent that something was very seriously wrong. Her constant smiles and coos were replaced with signs of distress and discomfort. The news that she had heart failure was almost more than her young parents could bear. First there was denial, then tremendous fear was our constant companion. After one failed attempt through heart surgery to correct the malfunction, Naedean soon went from a beautiful little robust baby to a very sick infant weighing well below her 8 lbs. at birth. Day after day her medical team would rally around her crib with words of encouragement, yet they made guarded comments regarding the importance of a donor being found soon. She had become so ill and we were so frightened that time could well be running out.
With the help of the staff at UCLA Medical Center, your gift finally came on June 24th. To this day I can’t see a rescue helicopter without saying a prayer for your family and becoming emotional. We feel so blessed.
It’s been six months since the surgery and we would like for you to know that your gift was not given in vain. We hope and pray that the pictures enclosed will bring your family some comfort with the knowledge that Naedean is doing so well, with no signs of rejection. This miracle of life that you have given us is so apparent. She now weighs 20 pounds, and her recovery has been nothing short of miraculous and astonishing.
We know that this will forever be a challenge to ensure that Naedean is kept healthy and safe, but please know that we have a lifetime commitment to love and protect this beautiful little girl and you will forever be in our hearts.
Sincerely,
Naedean’s Grandparents
Jan. 23, 2001
Tong Tong's Story
A Letter to Her Donor's Family
Dear family,
We really don’t know how to start this letter., how to express our feelings to you, because we know nothing is great enough to thank you. We accepted the most precious gift in the world from you—that is a life! Your action saved our daughters life!
Our 5-year-old daughter Tong Tong had very serious congenital heart disease. She has had open heart surgery and needed a heart pacemaker. On Oct. 2000, doctors told us she needed a heart transplant because her heart was too sick to last longer.
We knew how critical her condition was—her body was turning bluer day by day. She breathed faster. She was sweaty all time. She couldn’t walk, couldn’t eat and at last she was put in the ICU. Her heart worked so hard…’til that day you sent the hope to her—you gave her a new life!
She is totally different after her transplant. Her lips, fingers and toes are pink. This is the first time we have seen her so pink in the past five years! She runs, jumps, and plays with kids everyday instead of sitting in the stroller. She eats by herself instead of the feeding tube which served her for about one year. She has more energy than we’ve ever seen before and she is so happy all time.
We know how much you suffered when you made the decision. That is so difficult. We don’t know what we should say, but you saved our daughter’s life in suffering. To just say thank you does not seem to be enough! We also would like tell you that you saved other lives indirectly. One lady also made a great decision like you did just because she has heard the story about Tong Tong! We are so grateful! Tears come out to our faces. We appreciate you and we feel so blessed!
We hope some day our Tong Tong can stand in front of your to show you that your love’s life is continued in her life.
We pray for you every night and also pray for your little angel.
Big hugs from Tong Tong and thousands of thanks from our family!
Yours Sincerely,
Yehong & Frost