Sitting in kindergarten at the ripe old age of six, I was eagerly performing my work when I looked up and saw my teacher fall to the ground. I looked to the other teacher, who also fell to the ground. I was filled with fear. Immediately the fire alarm sounded, and we rushed out the door. I quickly issued a prayer to heaven. “Dear God, send me my mommy NOW!” Read More »

Being a donor sibling comes with a huge sense of responsibility. Being the oldest of three, there was always a sense of responsibility to look after my brother and sister – to take care of them when times got tough. I nurtured them and made sure they were ok. I tested the limits with mom and dad so my younger siblings knew what they would be able to get away Read More »

For most of us, birthdays are a day of celebration. We laugh, we celebrate and we spend time with those that we love. What if you reach a birthday and the person you want to celebrate isn’t there? What do you do? Our family was recently faced with this exact question as we quickly approached our brother’s 29th birthday. Birthdays were always a big deal for Chris. It was important Read More »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

In late July 2016, I received a call asking me if I would be willing to serve on the inaugural Donor Family Council for Indiana Donor Network. I was able to choke out a very weak, “Yes, I am honored to be asked.” My daughter, Kelsey, died as a result of an auto accident in August of 2004. Kelsey had made the decision to be an organ donor. It was Read More »