Donor Stories

Kim Rater's daughter Chelsea

Inspired by mom, a daughter’s gift of life

Chelsea was inspired to donate tissue after her mother’s successful cornea transplant.

A legacy of kindness

When 10-year-old Aolani was killed in an automobile accident, her mother, brothers, and sister agreed donation was the right thing to do in keeping with Aolani’s spirit.

Dr. Bowman

North Texas tissue donors aiding others around the world

Transplant Services Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center recently provided 46 ocular allografts for transplant to support two Dallas area ophthalmologists as they conducted a medical mission trip to Mombasa, Kenya.

Michael Mayer and Whitney

Family completes circle of care

Peg Breeding’s family experienced both sides of tissue donation and transplant.

Justin Spieker

Firefighter/Paramedic continues to help others

Justin Spieker’s passion in life was helping people. The firefighter and paramedic with the Southlake, Texas, Fire Department continued to help others through donations of eyes, tissue, and organs.

Cathy

Letters reveal how donation changed lives

Letters exchanged between a tissue recipient and a donor’s sister reveal how the donation of eyes, skin, and bone was another way the donor could help others.

Thomas Pettit

An adventure every day

With Thomas Pettit, every day was an adventure. Whether it was taking the kids fishing, starting (and not finishing) projects around the house, or working with the softball league, Thomas embraced each day fully.

Joey Ianeiro and Brandon Witt

Friendship grows out of tragedy

Two young men became friends after one received tissue donated by the other man’s stepfather.

Linda

A parent’s grateful heart

A mother remembered her son’s request during a difficult time.

Mike Maughan, Ph.D

A life of service

For Mike Maughan, Ph.D., service was a way of life. Mike was very active as an adult volunteer in every aspect of his Scout troop’s activities, but he died before he could begin his tenure as Scoutmaster. His family celebrated his legacy of service in two wonderful ways.

The Espino family in front the 2012 Tournament of Roses Donate Life float.

Juan’s love story

At the Transplant Services Center’s annual Celebration of Life, Juan Espino shared the story of his wife and the people she helped through her donation of eyes, organs, and tissues.

Pam Canal

Superman

Josh Canal was a hero in every sense of the word to all who knew him. Friends and family nicknamed him “Superman” because of all he had been through in life.