Stories of Hope
Rhonda
When she was 17 years old, Rhonda, from Douglas, Wyoming, was diagnosed with severe juvenile diabetes. In her 30s, as her kidneys began to fail, she was placed on dialysis. Then, after waiting 18 months, Rhonda received the life-changing call she had been hoping for – someone she didn’t even know had made the generous decision to donate their organs, giving her a second chance at life.
“I know my donor changed the lives of many others that same night in October of 2000 with her gifts,” Rhonda shared. “I think of her and thank her every day.”
Rhonda’s journey is one of many real-life organ donor stories that highlight the power of these lifesaving and healing gifts. In addition to receiving a kidney, Rhonda also received a pancreas and bone, showing just how deeply her life has been touched by organ and tissue donation.
In 2022, after the passing of her husband, he too made the courageous decision to give the gift of life through organ and tissue donation, further cementing the impact of donor stories in Rhonda’s life.
On January 1, 2024, Rhonda had the opportunity to share her donor story with the world during the nationally televised 2024 Rose Parade, bringing a local face to the life-saving cause of organ and tissue donation.
More Stories
Sherri & Calvin
Sometimes the ‘perfect match’ isn’t about finding love—it’s about giving life. Meet Sherri and Calvin of Aurora, Colo. Calvin is a kidney and two-time liver recipient. Thanks to the generosity of a donor and their family, Sherri was given 10 more precious years with her husband Calvin following his first life-saving kidney transplant. When Calvin […]
Jason
In 2009, Jason’s life took a dramatic turn. Once healthy and active, he found himself fighting for survival in just one month. What started as mild cold symptoms quickly worsened. After seeking medical attention, Jason was diagnosed with a rare strain of pneumonia. Within four weeks, his condition deteriorated further, leading to congestive heart failure—a […]
Julia
Julia, a heart recipient from Thornton, Colo., embodies the transformative power of donor recipient stories. Thanks to the selfless decisions of two heart donors, she lives a life filled with purpose and possibility. Born with dilated cardiomyopathy, Julia faced immense challenges from an early age. Her first heart transplant in 2008 gave her the chance […]