“We were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Christina, on March 25, 1984. On July 2, 2007, Christina was tragically taken from us when she took her own life. Christina was a beautiful girl, inside and out. Everyone loved her. She was quite the social butterfly. She had a way about her that made you happy and smile when you were… Read more
Mike Dunnam was 22 years old when he was involved in a fatal car accident. “Mike, or ‘Mikey’ to me, was born ready to embrace life,” said his mother Valerie Fourtunia. “He was such an adventurer, full of love, always ready for the next thrill.” Mike was a natural athlete. In his early years, at the age of nine, he… Read more
Patrick Peterson passed away very suddenly of a blood clot in the heart at the age of 51. “Patrick was my husband of 34 years,” said wife Kay. “We have two boys.” Patrick owned his own bridge construction business for most of he and Kay’s lives together before he later became a crane operator. Kay said Patrick was fun loving,… Read more
“My son Anthony “Nini” Varela was 18 years old when he passed away on August 8, 2010. He was my only son and the younger of my two children. At about 1:18 a.m. he was riding in an SUV with three of his friends on their way to his favorite fast food place, Jack In The Box. They were at… Read more
“I lost my husband and my son lost his father very unexpectedly. Dave had just turned 60 on March 9 and passed away on March 22. It has been such a very difficult road to travel. Dave was such a giving and wonderful man and so easy to love. His faith was first and foremost in his life, and he… Read more
“My story is probably pretty common – about a girl that loves her dad. I was always his princess. Everyone knew I had him wrapped around my finger – and he around mine. We did so much together. We would travel and explore and call each other numerous times per day. He always had problems with his hips and had… Read more
After Christopher White had graduated from Wisconsin Heights High School in 2001, he worked two part-time jobs so he could pattern his waking hours around hunting, fishing and golfing. His father, Jerry White, says he was miffed by his son’s free-spirited attitude, preferring that he either continue his education or find full-time work. “Now, I’m glad he got to enjoy… Read more
“Dark brown eyes, shiny dark brown hair and a quick smile were Pete’s trademarks. Everyone who met Pete knew soon his friendliness, sense of humor and laugh. Some characteristics came from his mom, some from his dad, but Pete was a unique and enjoyable person. Pete attended St. Joseph Catholic Grade School, where he played football and basketball for the… Read more
Ninety-two year old Ralph Popp passed away in April 2008 after suffering from a massive heart attack at his granddaughter’s middle school volleyball game, the day before his 67th wedding anniversary. “He was in excellent health and swam almost every day,” said Ralph’s son Mick. “He never slowed down.” Mick remembers his father telling him that he didn’t want to… Read more
When I was told that I could share my personal story about tissue donation I was excited, but I was also apprehensive because I wanted to make certain that everyone came away with the same positive feelings that I have about tissue donation. I have worked as a Donation Specialist in the Donor Support Center at RTI Donor Services for… Read more
Deanna was born with a smile as infectious as her laugh. As a child, she loved playing sports, being outside, socializing with the neighborhood kids and spending time with her family. Deanna orchestrated the family Fourth of July parade, was involved in jazz and tap dance, cheerleading and theatre. Deanna loved to talk, but always had a listening ear. A… Read more
“My mother passed away very suddenly in 1992. She died of congestive heart failure, and was also a breast cancer survivor, ruling out her donation of organs. At that time I didn’t know anything about tissue donation, but we assumed she would have been ruled out from donating there too. But when interviewed about donation, we were told that even… Read more
Steve Oelrich, Florida State Senator and former Sheriff of Alachua County, Fla., clearly remembers Father’s Day 1995. That was the day his 18-year-old son Nick was left brain-dead by a head injury suffered during a fall at a post-high school graduation celebration. “This was absolutely the darkest moment of my life,” says Steve. Like most people, Steve and his family… Read more
“On Thursday, May 20, 2010, my husband and I were two blocks from our home, and he was sitting on his parked motorcycle talking to me about our evening plans,” said wife Angelia Dean. “There was a pause in the conversation and, at 6:10 p.m., he fell off the side of his bike onto the concrete below, rolled his eyes… Read more
Victor Lozada married the love of his life, Theresa, after having known her since he was nine years old. He then attended the University of Houston and joined the National Guard, but dreamed of having a career in law enforcement. Victor attended the academy and entered the ranks of the police department in 1988. “Over the years he was involved… Read more
Kari and Eric Barlament of Brillion, WI, were celebrating one of life’s greatest joys – preparing for the birth of their first child – when tragedy struck their family. While on the way to the store to shop for baby items, their car was hit head-on after another motorist drifted across the centerline. Kari emerged with only broken bones and… Read more
Elias Kluth passed away at the age of 15 months due to the result of an accident. Even at a young age, his mother Marisa said he had developed some breathtaking characteristics. “He had very big brown eyes, eyes that you didn’t want to take your own eyes off of,” Marisa recalls. “He was definitely a crowd stopper. He was… Read more
Marge Glanville, of Arizona, has lost two heroic loved ones but says she is comforted by knowing that they live on in her heart and through their gifts of life to others. Marge’s son passed away in 1999 due to a brain tumor at the age of 55. Then in 2003, her husband died at 85 from pulmonary disease. Both… Read more
Jimmariyah Sherrill was a smart young boy with an energetic and loving personality. Tragically, his life was taken at only 10 years old when he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle in 2003. His grandmother and guardian, Deborah Jones, says that donating Jimmariyah’s tissue and organs gave her a sense of comfort because she knows that he… Read more
Connelly Sanders, Jr., born in 1929 in Oklahoma, lived a full and happy life before passing away at the age of 74 while living in Marietta, Ga., with his wife, Rosemarie. After he graduated from the University of Missouri and Texas A&M as a civil engineer, Connelly joined the Army as a Regular Army Officer in the Corps of Engineers.… Read more
Nancy Quick served in the United States Navy and later joined the reserves after her tour of duty was complete. In her early 40s, while helping care for her elderly parents, Nancy was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. “Her condition made it really hard for her to breathe, and Nancy was added to the national waiting list for a lung transplant.… Read more
Quentin Durell, from Arizona, lived to be 83 years old and experienced the better part of the 20th century during his life. He suffered a heart attack and passed away in 2001. When Quentin passed away, his Hospice nurse asked Quentin’s children if they had considered organ and tissue donation. The family had never discussed donation before, but decided that… Read more
Terry Snowden suffered of liver failure and passed away in Stoughton, Wis. at the age of 58. “He was very much a giver,” said Terry’s wife Jane. “He loved doing special things for me. He’d bring me flowers and gifts for no occasion, spoiling me however he could.” Jane described Terry as a huge sports fan, like herself, especially loyal… Read more
Kathy Rutherford describes her son, Stephen, as the perfect baby boy with beautiful blue eyes and big dimples. He was a normal teenager who loved to have fun and make people laugh. Stephen always helped his fellow classmates at school by lending an ear so they would not feel so alone. He was friends with everyone. He was in every… Read more
“My daughter and best friend, Melissa, was born on Christmas Day,” said mother Loni Wendt. “We lost her in a car accident on April 19, 2002, at the age of 16.” According to her mother, as Melissa grew up she quietly helped and befriended everyone she knew. She was a good listener and a peace maker. “Many people shared with… Read more
Linda Heffernan passed away suddenly at the age of 50 in February 1999 from a pulmonary embolism, five days after undergoing elective surgery. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and a friend. She raised three children – son Tim and two older sisters, Karen and Kim. As many donor families know, when a close family member passes… Read more
Heather Johnson lost her life in a car accident between Madison and Portage, Wis., just a short time after celebrating her 21st birthday. “She was a very caring person who liked making others feel good,” said Heather’s father, Bob. “Friendships were very important to her. She was very much focused on her education and working hard toward a degree.” Heather… Read more
Clifford Nelson had lived a full and wonderful life when he passed away at the age of 84. He died of a massive stroke and had been on dialysis for just over seven years. His wife of 53 years, Lillie, said she and Clifford were introduced at a wedding dance. He was easy going as a whole, but also very… Read more
Bob Jones’ life came to an end in the early hours of January 1, 2002. He and his wife, Kathy, had spent New Year’s Eve with their daughter and were driving back to their home in Dixon, Ill. when a drunk driver rear-ended their car at full speed. His wife Kathy, who already had lost a brother to a… Read more
Elizabeth “Bette” Kroll was an avid reader and gardener, especially known for her sparkling sense of humor. Bette lost her life at the age of 69, leaving behind three children and three grandchildren. “I don’t believe our children or grandchildren could have had a better role model,” said husband, Jerome. He described Bette as extremely intelligent and utterly selfless. Because… Read more