Mid-America Transplant

11/11/2025

"My daughter, Brooke, died at 16 in 1999 from sudden death caused by a run of ventricular tachycardia arrhythmias.

This was her junior homecoming; she died two weeks later. We honored her by having her buried in this beautiful gown.

We donated her skin to help burn victims and eyes to give sight to help others. Brooke kept on giving."

—Michelle

11/11/2025

A devoted father, U.S. Marine, and police officer, Peter tragically passed away in October 2023.

Peter not only protected and served his community during his life but also gave the ultimate gift after his passing as a registered donor.

Peter's mother, Denise, said this of her son, “Peter spent his entire life loving people before himself. A week before he passed, he asked me if I was registered as an organ and tissue donor. When I said yes, he told me he was too. That’s who he was – always thinking of others. Knowing that he helped many people through his tissue donations is a calming reminder of his generosity and spirit.”

Peter showed a passion for helping others from a young age. While in high school, he earned an EMT certification and volunteered with the local rescue squad. After high school, Peter enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Hawai'i for 4 years. Peter’s dedication, discipline, and compassion defined his service. After receiving an honorable discharge as a Lance Corporal, Peter returned to his hometown in New Jersey and joined the police force.

This Veterans Day, join us in honoring those who dedicated their lives to helping others and whose legacies live on through their decision to be organ, eye and tissue donors. 💙💚

Story via NJ Sharing Network

11/11/2025

"Organ donation is such a gift! My husband donated his corneas at the time of his passing. He had been sick with kidney failure but was still able to help someone see."

—Janiene

11/10/2025

Across the nation, eye banks provide tissue for more than 85,000 sight-restoring corneal transplants each year. Eye Donation Month is a chance to honor the generous cornea donor heroes whose recipients are now able to live their fullest lives.

For Joan and her family, eye donation became an opportunity for hope and a “way of paying it forward.”

Learn more here:

The Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) dedicates the month of November to raising awareness about cornea donation and transplantation. This annual campaign encourages people to register as eye donors and highlights the life-changing impact of donations.

11/09/2025

"I was 76 when I received my double transplant — liver and kidney.

I’m also a donor grandmother. Years later, my 31-year-old granddaughter passed away because a donor match was not found in time.

I’m now a volunteer advocate at an organ procurement organization. It’s because of Jesus and my organ donor hero that I’ve had the blessing of celebrating seven-plus years — and prayerfully counting — of life.

Thank you, donor heroes."

—Karen

11/09/2025

Brandie Taylor of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel has dedicated her life to public service, advocacy and Indigenous leadership.

Her leadership has extended to several boards, including the Inter-Tribal Court of Southern California, American Indian Recruitment and the Kumeyaay Heritage Preservation Committee. She was also elected to three terms as a board member for the Warner Unified School District.

In 2005, Brandie faced a life-altering diagnosis. While eight months pregnant with her son, she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and underwent an emergency cesarean section. Over the next two years, her medical team tried everything to support her failing heart, including medication, a pacemaker, a defibrillator and an experimental device called CardioMEMS. Nothing worked.

In April 2008, Brandie was officially listed for a heart transplant. In a powerful display of cultural tradition and community support, her tribe held an Ewipee ceremony to give her strength and courage. Just two months later, on June 13, 2008, while in the intensive care unit with only days to live, Brandie received the gift of a new heart.

With renewed life, Brandie continued to live in alignment with her values. She brought her son to the Standing Rock Reservation for two weeks to stand in solidarity with the water protectors opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline. As a traditional Kumeyaay Bird Dancer, and with her son as a Bird Singer, they offered songs and prayers for clean, safe water.

Brandie is deeply grateful for the donor who gave her a second chance at life. Over the past 15 years, she has witnessed history, advocated for her people and raised her son within their culture and traditions. In her language, she shares, “Ayaay Ahun,” meaning “All is good within my heart.”

November is Native American Heritage Month 🧡 This month, we highlight the contributions of Native American donors and donor families whose selfless gifts have saved countless lives. We also raise awareness about the pressing need for organ, eye and tissue donors within Native American communities.

11/08/2025

"Xander passed away Oct. 26, 2025 at age 19 in Joplin, Missouri. He chose to be an organ donor, and his family was told his organs would help others in the area. His family described him as someone with an infectious personality, amazing sense of humor, loving heart and a willingness to do anything for anyone. By signing up to be an organ donor, he showed his desire to help others even after his death."

11/07/2025

"I received lifesaving liver and kidney transplants three years ago. My donor would have turned 52 on Oct. 18, and I turned 50 on Sunday.

Here’s a photo with Jacqueline, my donor’s sister, who made the decision to donate. She lives 30 minutes from me, and we have become very close. After my transplants, I reached out to her but didn’t hear back at first. I asked my organ procurement organization to resend my letter, and about six months later, I got a response.

I recently finished seven months of chemotherapy and radiation and am awaiting my MRI and CT scans on Nov. 21. I’m doing well—my weight has gone from 138 pounds to 180.

Thank you, organ donors! Please sign up to be one if you haven’t already."

—Garett B.

SayYesGiveLife.org

11/06/2025

November is Eye Donation Month - a time to raise awareness about cornea donation and transplantation, honor the gift of sight given by donors and their families, and celebrate cornea transplant recipients who are now able to live their lives to the fullest. Join the donor registry at SayYesGiveLife.org and help restore sight to those in need! 💙💚

11/06/2025

"It has been 33 years since I went into kidney failure. I have been blessed to receive three transplants involving four organs. All of our donors are heroes."

—Scott S.

11/05/2025

“There will never come a day, hour, minute or second that I stop loving or thinking about my son. Losing a child is a life sentence — a lonely road with no end. It takes courage, kindness and self-compassion to simply move forward in life.

I talk about him to remember who he was and his impact on this world. I never thought his absence would be such a presence in my life. Organ donation gave me a second life.

Giving the organs changed my life — not only through the tragedy, but by knowing that five people were saved and now have happy families. I could have said no, but my son would not be back.

I am at peace and have no regret. Viggo left me an important mission. He continues to save lives.

I give support to donor families. Donor families are the voice and influence for future donors. No one should die waiting for an organ transplant.

I want to teach the kindness of humanity. Blessings exist. Good people exist. Love is more powerful than death.

Without organ donors, there is no story, no hope, no transplant. When there is an organ donor, hope is born, and a terrible loss becomes a gift.
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I decided to turn this tragedy into transformation, to turn loss into legacy.

He brought us sunshine every day. He was pure kindness, full of love, a very special human.

It’s a reminder that even during traumatic times, we can find a way to make choices that reflect love and humanity.

He left me an important mission. I turn my pain toward others. I build empathy, resilience, kindness and gratitude. Viggo was a gift in my life. He left a big lesson about life. Thanks to Viggo, who guides me every day.

Donating organs is a unique example of the human capacity to love. Viggo’s story is an inspiration and continues to save lives.

A simple ‘yes’ can save lives. A single unselfish act can change the world. You must leave a mark in life — a positive mark. The decision is ours: to do something that immortalizes the human inside you.

The world of organ donation and transplantation is a beautiful miracle that saves and heals lives, builds community and gives hope to those in need. It’s not enough to be compassionate — we must act.

Unfortunately, there is a huge gap between the number of people willing to receive and those willing to donate.

We have the power to change lives. Organ donation is an act of generosity and human solidarity — a family helping another family through intense compassion. It’s a humanitarian mission, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in moments of despair, we can find ways to make choices that reflect love and humanity.

It can happen to anyone. It’s a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference and give the gift of life. Donor families have a central role in the donation chain to save lives. We are the voice and influence for future donor families.

The message is very simple: If you contribute to other people’s happiness, you will find the true goal and meaning of life.

Blessings exist. Good people exist. A softer life exists. Let it happen. If you do good, you do good for yourself — every act of kindness we offer comes back to us first.

Together, we can promote a culture of generosity and hope, ultimately saving lives and improving the well-being of patients in need.

By spreading the word about the importance of organ donation, together we can create a more equal society. Let’s make an impact together.

Viggo was a miracle in my life. Now Viggo is a miracle that happened to other lives. He was a champion in life, a champion in golf, and a champion as he saved five lives.”

—Nathalie S.

11/05/2025

"I had a double-lung transplant because of pulmonary fibrosis. I am now five years out and doing well. I wrote to my donor’s family on my one-year anniversary but did not receive a response. That’s OK, though. I know their pain of losing someone they love.

My donor was a 37-year-old woman. I do not know her name, so I call her my angel. In my letter to her family, I wrote that she is watching over me and the other people she helped. I planted a crepe myrtle tree in my front yard in her honor, and I look at it every morning when I come downstairs. I included a picture of the tree in my letter to them. I keep them in my prayers every night.

I am so thankful for my donor and think about her every day."

—Dollie B.