Donation Stories

One act of generosity becomes a lifetime of impact.

All Heart: Suffolk rallies for teen heart recipient

Jasmine Chalmers / Heart Transplant

Chaunta Chalmers did what she always did while Jasmine was in the hospital last year: she looked at her little girl (far too little, in fact—a teenager trapped in an eight-year-old’s body) and said, “We’re going to do the best with what we have. We’re going to make the best of a bad situation.” The…

Cornea transplant lifts librarian from depression

Mary Jackson / Eye Transplant

Mary Jackson didn’t just get new eyes – she got a whole new way of looking at life after a double cornea transplant 25 years ago cured her not only of blindness, but of suicidal depression. Now pushing 80, she’s more active than she’s ever been and grateful for her second shot at life. Going…

Dirt Kart Racer’s Victory Flag was the Help He Gave to Others

September 11, 2017

Dylan Brockwell lived the charmed life of an adventurous spirit. On a daily basis he indulged his consuming passion for racing, hunting, fishing, surfing, and archery —Dylan’s mother, Jamie, would just bite her tongue at the anxiety his “perpetual motion” caused her and focus on how proud she was of all he’d accomplished. At 22,…

An Extraordinary Career Giving People Ordinary Lives

August 1, 2017

After a 48-year career, transplant nurse Gigi Spicer finally retired in the spring. That lasted for 20 days. “I got a call from Tulane saying they knew I retired and asking if I wanted to take up an interim position helping to rebuild their transplant institute,” she said. “It’s an interim position though; I do…

“Somehow, someday, I will affect someone’s life”

July 13, 2017

“Maria was born the queen bee,” remembers Susie Diaz fondly. Her little girl was the youngest of three, with two older brothers aged 7 and 9 at her birth in December of 1981. “She was just so cute, and much more feisty than our boys.” The queen bee stayed close to her hive at first,…

Checking your status could change 75 lives

Did you know organ, eye and tissue donation can save 8 people, and improve life for 75 more? Check your status right now, and sign up to help others have longer, stronger lives.