Donation Stories

One act of generosity becomes a lifetime of impact.

A Driving Force Remembered: Joey Gase takes Meredith Haga Fox’s message to fans

Meredith Haga Fox / Kidney Recipient
& Bruce Blessing / Living Donor

Meredith Haga Fox was not shy about encouraging others to become organ donors—quite the opposite, she was passionate and determined. “She didn’t take ‘no’ very well,” remembers NASCAR driver Joey Gase, who became friends with Meredith during his work with Donate Life Virginia. If anyone knew the power of direct statements, it was Meredith. A…

College Friends Share a Liver, Return to US Transplant Games of America

Matthew Felix / Liver Recipient
& Patrick Kacani / Living Donor

Matt and Patrick were college friends. They shared a soccer team, a fraternity and a room. Now, they also share a liver. “About six years ago, I opened an email and it was a friend saying ‘Hey, did you hear about Matt?’” said Patrick Kacani. “I read back through the email chain and saw he…

Inspired by son’s transplant, Richmond mom signs up as anonymous living donor

Weston Jordan / Heart Transplant
& Ashleigh Jordan / Living Donor

After her son’s heart transplant, Ashleigh Jordan wanted to do something to honor his donor and the thousands of other strangers who give the gift of life. After some thought, she decided to give the gift herself, signing up to become a living kidney donor. “I thought about releasing balloons or doing a fundraiser but…

Virginia Beach daughter gives dad gift of life

Don Whitelaw / Kidney Recipient
& Kaleigh Hennig / Living Donor

Kaleigh Hennig had to wait four years to save her dad’s life. After she finally was allowed to give him a kidney, she got a scar, a healthy father, a new friend, a new job and a fiance. It started suddenly in 2012 when Kaleigh was 18. She had just finished high school and was…

The Fight and the Swap

Douglas "DJ" Jordan / Kidney + Liver Recipient
& Chris Jordan / Living Donor

At the age of 51, Retired Master Sergeant Douglas “DJ” Jordan already knew he needed a liver transplant. He just hadn’t told his family.He’d shared the news with a close network of friends and colleagues, but he hadn’t told his family. “I didn’t want them to worry,” he said. “But I had everything planned. I…

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.