Donation Stories

One act of generosity becomes a lifetime of impact.

Waiting on a Rainbow: Virginia Heart Recipients Inspire National Campaign

Stephanie Mutter / Heart Transplant

The rainbow has been a symbol of hope for organ and tissue donation recipients at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) for decades. Perhaps it’s because of a rainbow’s startling, out-of-the-blue quality. Perhaps it’s because the sight of one means the worst is over. Or perhaps it’s because a rainbow is such an indisputable…

One more day: Richmond toddler waits for a heart

Stonewall Chappell / Heart Transplant

Twin brothers Stonewall and Hawkeye aren’t your average set of toddler twins—they follow each other around like other little boys, each trying to run as fast as the other, and each collapsing happily into the arms of their doting parents. They’re not aware that every time the phone rings, the adults in the house think,…

One heart and the will to stay positive

Lukie Dillon / Heart Transplant
Dave / Heart Recipient

Melinda Dillon has lived through the unthinkable, although you’d never know it from the way she talks. She’s upbeat, funny, and practically glows with life—she’s taken the words on the small tattoo at her wrist seriously, and she works hard to “stay positive.” The tattoo shows the lifeline of a beating heart alongside a B+,…

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…

Fairfax Couple Rings in the New Year with New Hearts

November 13, 2017

Taylor and Collin’s life together officially started in 2016 when they began dating. A young couple living outside of Washington, D.C., they’re celebrating their second Christmas together as they figure out the future and reminisce about a past that’s been full of both sickness and miracles. They celebrated their anniversary on June 9 but it’s…

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.