Imagine you’re healthy and full of life, then suddenly faced with a deadly prognosis. That happened to me when I was diagnosed with Goodpasture’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own defense system attacks the lungs and kidneys. This disease destroyed my kidneys, requiring me to begin dialysis immediately. The first day at [...]
Read moreNovember 4, 1998 began as any normal work day for our family. Our son, Michael, dropped off his three year old son at the babysitter’s, where they kissed and hugged, not knowing this was to be their last goodbye. Shortly after arriving at the job site, Michael fell approximately 18 feet and sustained a critical [...]
Read moreOn December 10, 2005, I was having Christmas dinner with my family. I became ill and wasn’t sure what had happened. I was sent to Hardin Memorial for testing. They diagnosed me with renal failure. It was caused from a long life of diabetes. It had damaged a lot of my body. The doctors told [...]
Read moreAfter her second heart condition in January 2001, Nancy Watts of Fayette County couldn’t believe her ears. The heart condition and high blood pressure had put such stress on her kidneys that they were destroyed and she would need to go on dialysis in order to live. Nancy recalled that there were a group doctors [...]
Read moreIt was an ordinary Wednesday, March 27, 1996 when Neil left for work to deliver mail on his rural mail route. He was about a mile from the Gracey post office when he became very ill. He drove back to the post office and honked for help. The clerk called an ambulance and then called [...]
Read moreEvery person touched by donation and transplantation has a story to tell ~ a story of hope, of love, and of the gift of life. If you, or someone you know, are interested in sharing your story, please contact the Trust For at info@trustforlife.org The Gift of Life Stories information packet can be downloaded from this site. Click [...]
Read moreOn May 22, 2004, Preston, our 18 year-old son, was driving home from Project Graduation after being up all night, celebrating with his friends. Less than a mile from our home he fell asleep at the wheel and did not survive his accident. Preston was a young man with a zest for life. He played [...]
Read moreA few years ago I was diagnosed with a disease called Hemochromatosis, a blood disease that causes your body to have too much iron. As a result of the disease I developed cirrhosis of the liver and would need a liver transplant to survive. I was placed on the national waiting list for a life-saving [...]
Read moreThe most difficult part of waiting for a heart transplant is knowing that for you to have another chance at life, someone else’s has to end. My joy at receiving a new heart on June 2nd, 2001 was tempered by the knowledge that the family of my donor, a 23 year old young man killed [...]
Read moreIn 2005 I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle. When the diagnosis was made, it was discovered that my heart was functioning at only 11% of its capacity. I received a defibrillator, but knew ultimately I would need a heart transplant to survive. After months of testing, I was placed on [...]
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