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  • Stephen Hasbrouck | TransplantLife

    Stephen Hasbrouck Levittown, PA Team Philadelphia July 17, 1982 - November 14, 2011 Memories of Steve Stephen was 29 when he passed away suddenly. He was finishing his degree in Psychology. And he was an animal lover and worked in humane law enforcement

  • Heather Miller | TransplantLife

    Heather Miller Triadelphia, WV Team Alleghenies August 07, 1986 - March 31, 2008 Heather Nicole Miller's Legacy Heather was the oldest of four children. She had an amazing smile and always made people laugh. She was one of those people that just seemed to attract friends. She had a unique relationship with everyone she met. She had caregiving qualities from early on, which is no surprise why she wanted to become a nurse. Heather had an opportunity in her final week as a senior in college at the WVU School of Nursing to take a trip to Texas with fellow nursing students over spring break. She backed out at the last moment because she wanted to spend time with her family, especially her sister Sarah and her brothers Samuel and Nathan, and of course her dad and me. While home that week she was killed tragically at the age of 21. Heather suffered a severe head trauma from a drunk driving car crash in which she was the passenger. One week after the crash on March 31, 2008, she was declared brain dead. Heather was able to donate her heart, both kidneys, liver, and enhance up to another 50 lives through her selfless gift of being a registered organ donor. The lives that she has touched just keeps growing and growing. Her family created the Heather Miller Memorial Golf Classic in honor and memory of her . We have awarded over 118 Nursing Scholarships in her memory. We have met so many wonderful people through organ donation: the transplant recipients, living donors, donor families. Her legacy lives on forever. And now our 2nd Donate Life Transplant Games. You have made us so proud. Not a day goes by my baby girl that my heart doesn’t ache for you... you truly are our hero. “Here Comes The Sun”

  • David Charles Starr | TransplantLife

    David Charles Starr Independence, MO Team MO-KAN September 05, 1971 - January 26, 1991 Outstanding Young Man David was a very talented, smart, and funny young man, While in high school, he was elected as a Student Council officer, and was an accomplished drummer in the concert, marching and pep bands. He enjoyed his time as a yell leader, and was an excellent soccer player. He attended the University of Missouri on a "Bright Flight" scholarship. At the time of his death he was a sophomore in the Engineering program. His car was broadsided, while he was driving to the college bookstore to purchase an engineering book. After his death he was able to donate his heart (which provided 18 years of good health for the father of four children), his corneas, and tissues, which provided blessings to as many as 50 people. David has three brothers, and he is dearly missed by them, and his mom. After David died, his brother Kit attended the Transplant Games with me, and he decided that he would be a living kidney donor. At the time, he said, "If David had been dying because he needed an organ instead of being in the car accident, and someone did that for us, just think how different our lives would have been". The living transplant gift was given to an acquaintance in March, 2003. They are now very close friends.

  • Betsy Niles | TransplantLife

    Betsy Niles Montclair, NJ Team Liberty January 04, 1951 - March 31, 2011 THE EXACT RIGHT GIFT AT THE EXACT RIGHT TIME Betsy Niles Loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and companion. She loved, she gave, she gifted. Anyone who had gotten the smallest gift from Betsy received it with a joyous jump of the heart. She had a divine ability to read people and their needs and give them the exact right gift at the exact right moment. Betsy gave us each what we needed. Her gifts were not limited to family and friends. The day she died, she gave numerous strangers the exact gifts they needed: another chance at life. There is no end to Betsy. She lives on in each of our own private memories of her that we carry in our hearts and minds. And in the lives of the others that she helped save with her gift of life.

  • Aric Brill | TransplantLife

    Aric Brill Las Vegas, NV Team Nevada January 29, 1993 - February 20, 2009 Aric Brill's Legacy I never met Aric, his life was cut when he was only 16 years old. But now, I feel I know him since the day I met his lovely mom Karen. I've heard many stories of Aric, every time Karen speaks about him I see and feel all the love and all the pain at the same time when she shares about him, about his childhood and about how he was enjoying life with his friends, and how he decided to be an organ donor, just days before someone took his life. Aric just turned 16 when he told his mom about donating his organs if something happen to him, he wanted to save lives, and as a kidney recipient, I know how important it is when someone says Yes.. I also never met my donor family, but Karen is like family, even there is no direct connection, we became attached at the moment we met, because there was something in common to share, my life was saved for a hero, and an Angel like Aric, who his wish of saving others lives, was granted by his beautiful mom and dad. After my transplant, I decided to live and honor not only my donor, but all of those who saved others lives through organ donation, and Aric has been part of my adventures, either climbing a mountain, or crossing the finish line in every event I compete during the TGA and WTG. And as I always say.. Donors Rock!! and Aric does rock!!!.. 6 of Aric's organs were donated including his heart who saved Louis. Karen and I we are both volunteers and speak about organ donation, and as Karen says: Sharing our story and experiencing how Aric has changed so many lives heals my own heart and makes me a stronger person. I will never forget that life is so precious, and so are the memories of our beautiful and loving son."

  • Cody Dunham | TransplantLife

    Cody Dunham Divernon, IL Team Transplant St. Louis October 19, 1978 - January 23, 2009 Our Family Hero Cody Lee was a son, brother, husband, friend and Daddy to his 1 year-old son, Kasen Lee. He had quick wit, a strong and hard demeanor with a teddy bear heart. He worked hard and laughed hard and loved being a Daddy for the first year of his son's life. He was a protector, stood up for what's right and for people that deserved it and he didn't know a stranger. His presence has been missed every single day of the past 9 years without him. He lives on in his beautiful son and in the lives of his recipients. Cody is a tissue donor who donated bone tissue and both of his corneas. 118 bone tissue grafts were able to be used for transplant and his corneas helped save the sight of two people. He was a hero in our family when he was here on earth with us, and Cody lives on in so many that he is a hero in his death as well. He would have given his life for anyone, even a stranger, in his life, and now he has done just that in his death. We wish every day that he could be here with us, but every once in a while he gives us a perfect sign from his permanent home in Heaven to say, Hi and I love you. Until we meet again...

  • Robert Somerville Jr. | TransplantLife

    Robert Somerville Jr. Marcellus, NY Team Finger Lakes March 09, 1980 - September 04, 1996 A Life Well Lived Our loved one Robby was a big teddy bear. He lived only 16 years but he lived a life time in them. He is talked about every day and is remembered every minute. We love you and we miss you. Remembering you this week with your family here to represent you.

  • Melissa Ash | TransplantLife

    Melissa Ash Scio, OH Team Alleghenies March 20, 1977 - June 20, 1995 A true hero with a halo... Faith and family were always the most important things in Missy's life and she was planning to get married. She loved life and was excited to be graduating. She also wanted to attend college to become a special ed teacher or a nurse because she loved helping others. She was active in basketball and had won runner-up in the Scio fall festival's queen contest two times.

  • Esther Elizabeth Daw | TransplantLife

    Esther Elizabeth Daw Chesnee, SC Team South Carolina June 02, 1998 - February 11, 2017 Daughter, Sister, Mother & Friend! From the start of her beautiful life...those eyes! Full of life...hope...love. She had a gorgeous smile. She could go from 0-60 in just a split second...then reality of the harshness of living in the real world. She so wanted to adventure & to assist any critter that needed help....a true Ellie Mae Clampett! We'd have to stop to rescue turtles crossing the road at a moment's notice! :-) She was only 18 when the accident occurred...gone too soon...with a 4 1/2 month old baby girl. She left us a wonderful gift in Mila Grace...the privilege of raising her has taken the edge off, as well as knowing her life gave 3 other families the miracle that had been praying for! We'll look for you in all the beautiful corners of God's Creation sweet girl! You are missed!

  • Terri Appleman | TransplantLife

    Terri Appleman Canal Fulton, OH Team Ohio March 25, 1952 - April 22, 2010 Terri Saved Me! Terri gave me the Gift of Life. On April 24th, 2010 a liver from this hero gave me a second chance at life. I am forever grateful to Terri and her wonderful family.

  • Shannon Lee Miller | TransplantLife

    Shannon Lee Miller Buffalo, NY Team Buffalo October 24, 1969 - October 27, 1996 FOREVER LOVED Shannon was 27 when she gave the gift of life. She was happy, smart and loved to dance and enjoy life to the fullest. She was an animal lover (especially her cat, Tabatha). She loved the holidays but her favorite was Halloween. She had returned to college to get her degree as a Physician's Assistant in September and her car accident took her life in October. She was an organ, eye and tissue donor. She was always my Hero, and now she is the Hero to many more. She is my Guardian Angel and will be Forever Loved.

  • Jonathan Cottrell | TransplantLife

    Jonathan Cottrell Morrisville, PA Team Philadelphia February 01, 1947 - December 09, 2008 Jonathan Cottrell's Memory "That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had." Robert Louis Stevenson. The above writing echoes the unique person Jon was: a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. The youngest of four boys, Jon lived his life as a reflection of the values instilled by his parents. His career was spent with the same company PSEG where he was known as a true gentleman with an infectiously positive outlook on life. He took time to get to those he worked with and was well respected for his mentoring and commitment. Being a tissue donor is a reflection of Jon's unselfish concern for others. Jon was most proud of our four children. Each one mirrors qualities that he valued and possessed- integrity, faith, compassion and concern for others, moral obligation, patience, and flexibility. He was their mentor, coach, and adviser; he supported them when they were presented with choices, but allowed them to make mistakes. Jon passed unexpectedly on December 9, 2008 from cardio pulmonary arrest- he was able to donate corneas and bone and tissue which were used in over 50 surgeries. Until we meet again, we will treasure the moments we had with him and the beautiful memories he has given us.

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