Beyond Transplant: A Mother’s Day Story of Two Families United by Organ Donation

Celebrating Motherhood

Mother’s Day is a time to recognize all moms for their unconditional love and support. Donor Alliance honors all mothers, including those who are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant. Our organization, which facilitates organ and tissue donation for transplantation, also recognizes mothers who received the gift of life, and those who had a child who has given the gift of life.

For Tony Young of Denver, he shares a special “motherly” bond with a woman named Robin who lives in Texas. In 2020, a dark time in Robin’s life transformed into a bright spot in Tony’s life. Tony had his first heart attack when he was 25-years-old and a second one in his 30’s. He was added to the waitlist for a heart in 2020. After a month in the hospital, he received the news he was anxiously waiting for – there was a donor. Robin’s daughter, Sicily, was that heroic donor. 

Tony received lifesaving and healing gifts from Sicily, a heart and kidneys. To show his appreciation, on the 4th anniversary of his transplant, Tony and his mother traveled more than 700-miles to surprise Robin in Dallas. During a difficult time in their lives, Robin and her family saying “yes” to organ and tissue donation has allowed Tony to return to the things he loves, including cooking.

“I’m certainly no chef, but I enjoy cooking. It’s a love language for me,” Tony said.  “For a very long time I sent Robin photos of some of my better meals, typically Sunday dinners. I told her for a long time I wanted to cook for her.”

Thanks to Lowe’s Home Improvement, where Tony works, he was able to surprise Robin with a new propane grill! On the exact day Tony received his lifesaving and healing gifts, he and his mother fired up the new grill and cooked lunch for Robin and her family. They feasted on cedar plank salmon, grilled chicken, and Tony’s favorite okra dish with rice. (Just to name a few of the items on the special menu!)

It was a small token of love for Tony’s second chance at life. This Mother’s Day, this story serves as a reminder that a mother’s love can leave an unconditional legacy.

How can you provide support to those on the waiting list this Mother’s Day?

You can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor by saying Yes, the next time you obtain or renew your driver license/state ID or register today at DonateLifeColorado.org or DonateLifeWyoming.org. The little heart with the Y on your driver license means you have joined the Donate Life registry.

That little heart has a big impact – one person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation. So, it’s important to also discuss your decision with your family. During a difficult time, families have told Donor Alliance they found comfort knowing their loved one’s decision.