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
Son Honors Father’s Legacy by Supporting Live On. Ride On. Campaign
I lost my father, Duane Shirk, in August of 2008, at the age of 50. He was a registered organ and tissue donor, a hard worker, and a wonderful father and grandfather. He was the kind of person who knew everyone, and who never expected anything, but always was willing to give anything he could. Because of my dad’s giving spirit and his gift through tissue donation, I am now a registered donor too.
Looks Can Be Deceiving
Have you ever asked yourself how you would do things differently if you were given a second chance? This was something I never asked until about two years ago but now I am living out the answer to that question. My name is Rob West and two years ago I received my second chance and a fresh start through a liver transplant.
I am Humbled by the Gift of Life
In late autumn 2004, I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This typically fatal restrictive lung disease involves the progressive scarring and subsequent stiffening of the lung which causes breathing to become increasingly more difficult. Although I became tearful when I heard the diagnosis that I would live for only three to five more years – in that moment the time span appeared to be lengthy.
Still Smiling, Thanks to My Donor
Over the years, I started experiencing painful sensitivity and my dentist told me my gums were receding. Receding gums not only cause discomfort, but can lead to tooth root decay. I was told I would need a gum graft.
Three Powerful Words
On June 13, 2009, exactly 15 weeks before our wedding, my 22-year-old fiancé, Danny Thomas, was killed in a motorcycle accident.
The Energizer Bunny
When I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 11, a double-lung transplant wasn’t even on the horizon for me. It was 1993, and transplantation was still something that was rare enough to merit a spot on the nightly news.
Submit a story
The gifts of donation are powerful – they can change someone’s life and rewrite their story. Will you share yours?