Organ Donation

Tina left us with a body without abuse or blemish. Four of her organs: the liver, both kidneys, pancreas, and heart tissue were donated to individuals in dire physical condition. Without an organ transplant, the recipients’ hopes for survival were dismal. We hope to post letters of gratitude and amazing testimonials from the organ recipients as permission is granted.

For more information about organ donation visit www.transweb.org

Testimonies

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Troy: 35 year old male from Alabama

Dear Dennis, Stephanie and children:
Hello, how are you? I am doing well. The kidney transplant has been tremendous. I have had no episodes of rejection. The gift of the transplant is too precious to take for granted and I have not done so. As per my previous communication with you, I informed you that I have a wife and a 15 year old daughter. My wife and I have always wanted additional children, but we were unsuccessful. We even went to our church adoption agency and had our profiles worked-up to be adoptive parents. We were on the list for a period of time until we learned in 1999 that my kidneys were failing. We then proceeded to remove our names from adoption due to the unsettling events in our lives at that time. We assumed that we would not be blessed with any additional children. I then had my transplant in July 2002, and things have changed. I was given a wonderful father’s day gift in 2005 when my wife informed me that she was pregnant with our second child. It was a shock and a wonderful surprise. We have been blessed with a beautiful new daughter. My daughters are a wonderful joy. I feel you also have great joy in your children, and you must feel great pain and anguish in losing your own special daughter to a tragic event. I want you to know that without the wonderful gift of life that Tina provided to me through her organ donation, I would not be blessed with my new daughter; and I may not have been around to see my older daughter grow into a young lady. I give thanks for my blessings and thanks for others who have so deeply enriched my life. Your daughter has truly done that for my family and myself.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Darlene: a single mother of five children from Alabama

Dear Stephanie, Dennis and family:
Just writing to say that I am doing fine. Everything is still going great with my kidney transplant and health. I lost both kidneys to lupus, and I was on dialysis for 3 years before I received the transplant. I am still giving God the glory and praises. I would like to say also that God has blessed me with the prophetic gift, and I am using this gift to minister to others and bring others to Christ. I would like to share a vision that I had of Tina. I was at a wedding and Tina came down the aisle alone. I remember thinking, “Where is the bridegroom”? She came down the aisle wearing a knee length white dress, and she began to dance (praise). It was like I was sitting in the bleachers at a ballgame watching this take place, but instead it was a wedding. She had her hair exactly like the picture that I got from you that is on the foundation statement. While she was praising, the bridegroom came down the aisle. I never saw his face; I just knew it was The Lord. The message in the vision is that Jesus is on his way back. One day we will meet. Your daughter is not dead, only sleeping. When that great and glorious day shall come and Jesus shall return, you will see your daughter again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Bill: 69 year old male from Alabama

On July 21, 2002 I received the call from the doctors to indicate a donor liver was available and to come to the hospital immediately. I am a 69 year old male with two living children and seven grandchildren. I now look forward to many years of a healthy life and an opportunity to share time with my grandchildren and see them grow-up. The gift of life is the ultimate gift. I can think of no way to adequately express my appreciation. Please know the donation of the liver from Tina gives me a second chance for life and a second chance to be a better person.