Life, loss, hope and healing – these are the stories of those touched by donation.
We invite you to:
- Scroll down and watch the story of 11-year-old donor hero John B. Mullins IV.
- Click here to visit our YouTube page and meet recipients, donor family members and those waiting for their lifesaving gifts.
- Click on the panels at the bottom of this page to read more stories on our website.
John B. Mullins IV
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Veteran Gives Back
When Jeff Kauffman woke up the morning of Dec. 12, 2012, he had no idea what was in store for him that evening. At 5 p.m., just as supper was being put on the table, he received the call that there was a kidney available for him.
It’s a Wonderful Life: Faithfully Honoring My Donor
Born legally blind, I energetically celebrated my healthy life for twenty-five years. However, my faith was tested in May 2009, when I received a devastating diagnosis.
It’s a Wonderful Life: He Was a Match for Me
We didn't know much about organ donation when either of us first got our driver's licenses, but each of our fathers made sure that we signed up to be donors. That was our first indication that both of our families believed deeply in this cause.
It’s a Wonderful Life: My Sister, My Saint
A bond between siblings is sacred. It is a bond of love and trust. I am lucky enough to share a bond with my sister that goes way beyond this. My name is Benita Smith and on December 2, 2005, my older sister Jackie did something so selfless, so honorable and so generous for me- she gave me a second chance at life with a new kidney.
Turns out, I had a spare!
Being an organ donor has always been important to me – even as a child I knew I wanted to give the Gift of Life. As my youngest child was getting ready to turn 18 and I approached 40, it felt like the right time to see if I would be a suitable living kidney donor. As long as I was healthy and could greatly improve or even save someone else’s life with a donation, there was no reason not to do it!
Jaiden the Hero
Looking at Jaiden in the hospital bed that day in November, it didn’t look like anything was wrong with him. The only indication something was amiss was the gauze bandage on the side of his head. A couple hours earlier we were getting ready to leave for school when our lives were changed forever.
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The gifts of donation are powerful – they can change someone’s life and rewrite their story. Will you share yours?