Stories of Hope

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,” […]

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,” […]

Nathan

Mary Kay Pieper describes her late son, Nathan, as caring, kind, and faith filled. His whole family would agree that Nathan was a friend to many, and led a life filled with love and generosity. After an unexpected fatal event in 2017, Nathan’s family got the news that no parent ever should receive. They faced […]

Hilda

Hilda Chávez never imagined that her life would change from one day to the next. After experiencing several health symptoms, she was hospitalized and received news that changed everything: her kidneys were no longer functioning, and her life would depend on a transplant to heal and have a second chance at life. In June 2017, […]

Aurora

When Krystal and Tom lost their 5-year-old daughter, Aurora, in 2024, their world changed forever. Krystal describes Aurora as ‘joy-personified’. She was always singing, dancing, and finding a way to make the people around her feel loved. Even in her final moments, Aurora’s love and generosity lived on, carrying forward through organ donation.  “When she left, it […]

Amy

Eleven years ago, Amy was balancing life as a busy mom of three when she got news that would change everything: a breast cancer diagnosis. After a bilateral mastectomy, she had reconstructive surgery that used donated tissue, a gift that played a big part in her recovery. As a longtime nurse, Amy shared she had […]

Tanner

When Allison Vogel’s son Tanner received his driver’s permit, he made a simple decision that would go on to change countless lives. He registered as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Tanner’s choice became his lasting legacy, bringing hope and healing to more than 120 people. Tanner was a lifelong baseball fan with an unshakable […]