Kenz and Kels

Donation Perspective: From Childhood to Adulthood

I never imagined how much organ and tissue donation would shape my life. I remember the day my college diploma arrived in the mail. It had been two months since graduation, but only a week since McKenzie had died. The memories came flooding in: the family photos we took around campus, the celebratory meal and the talk of McKenzie’s college graduation being only two short years away. I never imagined Read More »

handmade hope

Organ Donor’s Wife Finds Healing at Handmade Hope Event

Four years ago, I knew little about the organization that has become a big part of my life now. My husband, Robert became a hero to several individuals when an accident took him from us but provided life for many others. He was always helping others – so it didn’t surprise me when I learned of his decision to become an organ donor many years prior. He was a loving Read More »

hs grad

Graduation

Graduation is usually a time when we reflect on our child’s life over the past 18 years.  The day they were born, began to walk and talk, their first day of school, the day they began driving and all the days you smiled with pride as you watched them accomplish all their milestones and dreams during their growing up years. Jennifer always loved the companion animals. She wanted to make sure that Read More »

Abby Ballinger

Orchestrating Tragedy Into Hope

As a nurse, taking care of a donor patient is very emotional. My heart breaks for the donor patient’s family knowing they just lost a special person in their life; however, I also feel inspired knowing something tragic can turn into something miraculous. It’s terribly heartbreaking to say goodbye to someone you love, but what better gift to give than the gift of life. As a nurse, it is encouraging Read More »

Marvin Wilkerson

A Mother’s Love Never Dies

It’s Mother’s Day, and I’m reminded that it’s another holiday spent without the physical presence of my son. It’s been almost four years now since my son Marvin “Chip” Wilkerson died. For those that may wonder does it ever get any easier – does the pain lessen as the years go by? My honest answer is: I miss him every day, and I don’t expect the feeling will ever go Read More »

Scott Morin

From a Critical Care Nurse to a Donor Mom

On one night, October 14, 2009, my whole world as I knew it changed. My beautiful 24-year-old son had been shot in the neck severing his spinal cord. He lost a massive amount of blood and would never resume his life as it was. In a single millisecond, his life would end, but his organs could save the life of others waiting for a lifesaving transplant. As a critical care Read More »

Wil Worthington

A Time for Remembering and Celebrating the Gift of Life

Stoplights go from red to green. People everywhere are headed to work, school or play. But, for a family that lost a loved one, normalcy and whatever it may be, resonate in our minds and hearts. As if dealing with loss weren’t enough, we fight trying to figure out who we are when all around us return to their lives. Seven years later, and I still deal with these emotions. Read More »

McKenna Mikel

How to Talk to Kids about Donation – by McKenna Mikel

McKenna Mikel was 8 years old when her 16-year-old sister was killed in a car accident and became an organ donor in August 2004. Explaining what organ donation is to a child can be a difficult task. There are many words and concepts that are hard for a child to understand. The idea of saving someone’s life with an organ is not an easy concept to grasp for a child. Read More »

MM family photo

Easter Donor Family Blog – Mark Mikel

Renewal. Reviving. Refreshing. Resurrection. These words are used often during the season of Easter. Especially resurrection. For those of us who have experienced the death of a loved one, conversations about new life and eternal life can be difficult, even for those of us who have a strong faith. On one hand, the promise of new life, whether it be from the budding of flowers and trees to remind us Read More »

Lisa Stiffler

Woman Receives Pancreas Transplant, Life Changes

Lisa Stiffler, 54, lay on the kitchen floor. Her teenage daughter stood over her – her voice filled with panic and urgency. Lisa’s blood sugar had gotten low – again. “Mom, are you OK? Mom, eat this snack – it will help!” Since age five, Lisa suffered from Type 1 diabetes. Raised in rural Ogilville, Indiana, she had the constant daily juggling act of monitoring her blood sugar, taking insulin Read More »