Stories of Hope
Connor
When Connor’s mom took her three-month-old son to the doctor for a cold, she learned that Connor had a condition called cardiomyopathy, a deadly heart disease that could only be remedied by a heart transplant. Connor spent nine weeks on the waiting list and received a transplant on Mother’s Day in 1992.
Ten years passed and Connor’s body started to reject the heart. He was placed back on the waiting list and more than a year later, Connor received his second heart transplant on July 18, 2005.
Connor thanks Donor Alliance for helping to improve the number of donors.
“If it weren’t for their work, I and many other recipients I know might not be alive,” he said.
About his family, Connor relates, “We didn’t always have that future to look forward to—but now, we do. And it’s a big deal.”
More Stories
Dustyn
“He had a heart of gold. He would do anything for anybody,” recalls Laura, remembering her son Dustyn, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 30. Those who knew him best describe Dustyn as kind, warm, and endlessly generous. He had a deep love for animals and a spirit that made people feel […]
Katie
Loved ones of Katie Hankins, affectionately known as “Katie Bug,” remember her as a kind, vibrant soul who was always radiating love and joy. After Katie passed away in May of 2025, she became an organ donor, saving and healing many lives. Katie’s family describe her as a spirited dancer whose laughter filled every room […]
Micah
Micah was born in 2002 with cerebral palsy and faced many medical challenges from the start. Despite this, he lived a joyful and full life. “He was a great force; he was integrated into a typical classroom. He spread joy with children that he came in contact with. Everything he did, he just loved life,” […]