15 years ago, when he learned that his wife needed a transplant, Scott Bucci was eager to find out if he was a match. Early on in their marriage, Scott’s wife Melissa became ill. As time passed, her illness progressed and began to require more and more medical interventions. Eventually, her illness began to impact…

Janell Hull (left) and Mary Small (right) didn’t know one other before they were each brought to the hospital late last year for a heart transplant. But they already had so much in common by the time they arrived at VCU Health Pauley Heart Center’s intensive care unit. Both had endured years-long battles with declining…

One summer day, a beautiful, little girl, named Kimberly, was born with sparkly eyes and chubby cheeks to first time parents Cindy and Billy Spruill.  She was diagnosed with a rare heart disease, spongy myocardium, a cardiomyopathy described in the literature though never seen by the experienced cardiologist that was in charge and assigned to…

“Do you wish to become an organ, eye and tissue donor?” Viola Barnes knew that her Virginia DMV colleagues asked this lifesaving question every day. What she didn’t realize was that at some point that question could impact her life drastically. In 2006 Viola was diagnosed with kidney disease. She was able to manage it…

Jan Garver-Flanders’ life is dedicated to art and the beauty of written communication. She is a professional calligrapher who is often asked to share her expertise on etiquette. Something she takes very seriously. Unfortunately, she did not realize that she missed an important opportunity to send thank you notes until she lost her husband, Paul…