I became connected with Indiana Donor Network in 2004 when my older sister, Kelsey, passed away in a car accident. After the accident, she became an organ donor, giving many individuals a second chance at life. My parents began being advocates for Indiana Donor Network, and shortly after, I was connected with Indiana Donor Network as well. Kelsey’s donation has meant so much to my family and me. Knowing in Read More »

There are many types of relationships in the world, but I think the one shared between siblings is something special. I am fortunate enough to have an older brother in my life, but the relationship I had with my younger sister was extra special. We were around each other all the time – and if we weren’t – we were always on the phone – texting or calling each other. Read More »

What’s your favorite holiday? Easter? Halloween? Thanksgiving? Well for me – it’s Christmas. I love to decorate the house with hundreds of lights, fun knickknacks and put ornaments on the tree. It’s something I look forward to every year! And for most of my life, my sister was right by my side as we tried to outdo ourselves each year. Our last Christmas together was in 2008. She died in Read More »

My son Thomas died in August, one week before the start of his junior year at Purdue University. It was the end of summer, hot and dry, and normally a time of hope and anticipation for the start of a new school year. Ten years later, I still feel the stifling heat of August scorching lawns and threatening everyone’s temper. Because I work at a college, I remain tied to Read More »

When we have faced tremendous tragedy and loss, sometimes the last thing we want to do, the hardest thing we face, is finding a way to be grateful or thankful. Especially when others around us are in the midst of celebrating the blessings of life, and we are barely clinging to the remnants of our lives. Holidays and milestones are tough on those of us who’ve lost a loved one. Read More »

Every part of me believes that when remarkable support is provided to a donor family there is a natural ripple effect that gives them hope and healing on the grief journey. As the manager of the Aftercare Support team at Indiana Donor Network, my primary focus each day is to support donor families by connecting them with grief support resources that fit their needs, along with providing donation education and Read More »

The decision to write to transplant recipients is a personal one. As a donor family you may choose when you write to the recipients, if you choose to write to them at all. There is also a misconception that donor families and transplant recipients must wait the infamous “one-year” before writing to each other anonymously through Indiana Donor Network. Please know that there is no timeframe that specifies each party Read More »

I can’t say enough wonderful things about the fine people who manage or volunteer at Indiana Donor Network. They contacted me the night Mom, pictured above, died (almost 3 months ago) and asked if our family would consent to organ or tissue donation. After a quick consult with my six awesome siblings, the answer was a resounding “yes.” The folks from Indiana Donor Network could not have been more compassionate Read More »

My name is Haleigh Mann. I am a senior, studying music education at Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne. It is my hope to be a middle/high school band director after graduating in the spring. Organ donation is very near and dear to my heart and it is my hope that my story influences others to check the box and become an organ donor. On Jan. 7, 2013, my Read More »