Real stories about what is possible when you #SayYES.
Minister grateful for his second chance at life
“The journey really took off after the transplant,” shares Dr. Patrick Gee. “Everything I went through with this transplant. Everything that I went through while I was on peritoneal dialysis. Everything that I went through with being hard-headed and not wanting to take care of myself led to divine intervention.” In 2003, Patrick was diagnosed…
Providing Hope One Transplant at a Time
Donate Life Virginia Member is Second Living HIV-positive Donor in Nation
An Unexpected Friendship
Denis Popp will tell you it was his faith and bright outlook that helped him get through the dark days. But he will also tell you the unwavering support of a stranger made a remarkable difference.
Son remembered for his selfless heart
Zachary Kelly had the biggest heart and was the type of person who would give you his last $5, so it was no surprise to his family and friends that he would also want to be an organ donor.
Son’s dream of helping others realized through organ and tissue donation
For his first Halloween, Robin Buritica Carvajal dressed up as a surgeon. His smile was beaming as he posed in his hospital scrubs for a photo. He was only 15 months old at the time and too young to realize his dream of becoming a doctor one day. Robin, who liked to be called Junior,…
In a father’s words: Steph had a remarkable life.
Billy Mutter reflects on his daughter Stephanie Green’s remarkable life for Father’s Day. Father’s Day! What a wonderful day of recognition for all fathers. As my seven-year-old granddaughter recently told me, Father’s Day is “the official time that us kids get to hang out and spend time with our father and grandfathers.” I personally love…
Lights, camera, transplant! A mission to help Hollywood get organ donation right
The scene opens in a hospital room. Lights fade, cue cards flash and cameras roll as a doctor walks in to tell a family the bad news – their loved one is dying but his organs can still be used to… CUT! Of every inaccurate organ transplant scene in Hollywood, that’s the one Tenaya Wallace…
In a mother’s words: My son. My hero.
Kristie Legg shares the story of her son Matthew Anthony Legg, Jr. Matthew passed when he was five years old and saved lives through donation. On April 1, 2008, my husband and I received distressing news at our ultrasound. We would be referred to a specialist at UVA the next day. I remember someone thinking…
A tiny miracle: Powhatan infant gets a new heart
For Chuck and Amanda Slate, watching their infant being taken in for a heart transplant was all the harder because he looked fine. “It was really emotional,” Amanda said. “Here we have a baby who seems pretty normal on the outside but he has this huge life-threatening condition and we’re handing him over to swap…
Norfolk Academy alum remembered for service and laughter
Kyle Hutchins was only 22 when he died but the outgoing young man had already inspired all who knew him– starting from the time he was a small child and continuing on even beyond his death. “He was a lively, outgoing, personable and compassionate kid and he was always like that,” said his father, Tom.…