Stories of hope

When I am out dancing, many people recognize the scars of a reconstruction on my right knee. I tell them about the gift I received, and how one person is able to help so many people by donating organs and tissue.

I am a biochemist and an amateur ballroom dancer. In 1999 I had been playing sports and was injured. I had reconstructive surgery and was just returning to a normal life and the dance circuit that I had previously traveled for 10 years when the ligament graft failed in the summer of 2000. I was devastated!

I dreamed of the day when I would be able to take to the dance floor again with my partner and husband, Charles. I received the gift of life and new hope when a donated tendon was used to reconstruct my knee for a second time in September 2001. Because of this gift, my husband and I were able to return to competitive ballroom dancing in September 2002 and qualified for the finals at the Northwest Regional Amateur Competition in Seattle during the summer of 2003.

I want the donor family to know how much this gift means to me. It is appreciated and has made such a huge difference in my life.