Legacy of Hope

11/22/2025

"I had the opportunity to meet my daughter's heart recipient. It was amazing. Through organ donation, she lives on.

Below is the photos of my daughter's husband and I listening to her heartbeat."

—Sandy

11/21/2025

Christa Ogden’s journey is one of strength, faith, and perseverance. In 2006, shortly after the birth of her first child, Ava, Christa’s life changed unexpectedly. What began as severe abdominal pain led to the discovery of a serious gallbladder infection. During surgery, her common bile duct was accidentally cut, resulting in a long and difficult recovery. For nearly two decades, Christa has faced recurring infections, hospitalizations, and lasting complications. Despite these health challenges, she refused to let her condition define her life. While navigating her medical journey, Christa returned to school and made it her mission to raise her children surrounded by their Native community and culture.
In recent years, Christa’s health has declined as her liver damage has progressed, affecting her kidneys and other organs. Now, she is waiting for a liver transplant, the only treatment that can save her life. Through all of this, Christa remains deeply thankful for the simple blessings each day brings. When asked what a transplant would mean for her family, Christa shared that it would mean “my kids get their mama back.” For her, it represents the chance to live again, to go camping, fishing, hiking, and to enjoy life with her children. Christa hopes her story inspires others to consider living donation and to help save lives. “I wanted to share my struggles and be open about what I’m going through. I want people to apply to be a living donor.” Her courage and advocacy continue to inspire many within the Native American and transplant communities. 💙💚 Thank you to AMAT for sharing this story!

11/20/2025

"My son Matthew was kind, talented and full of potential. He was just 18, getting ready to graduate from Capital High and study welding in college. He loved working with his hands, listening to classic rock and taking care of his dog, Sprite.

A few months before he passed away, Matthew showed his father his new driver’s license. When his dad saw it said 'organ donor,' he asked, 'Why would you want to give your organs to someone else?' And Matthew said, 'If I don't need them anymore, why not donate them?' He couldn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to be a donor. He spoke so passionately about it, it was easy to see how important it was to him.

When Matthew died from injuries in a car accident, we didn’t hesitate to honor his wishes. His final act of giving was perhaps his most selfless. He donated his heart, both kidneys, liver, corneas and tissue, saving or helping six people he never got to meet.

One of them was Landyn, a young boy who received one of his kidneys. We’ve been able to meet him, and watching him grow and thrive has brought us comfort. Matthew gave him a second chance and gave us something to hold on to."

—Ann

11/17/2025

"My daughter was an organ donor. I've written letters and I hope to hear from with her recipients someday. Donors are heroes. ❤️❤️"

—Patty

11/14/2025

"Sky was diagnosed with a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia. With no current cure for this disease, she had a Kasai procedure done, which reroutes the GI system in hopes of a better flow of bile. Despite the operation, doctors explained that a liver transplant could still be necessary in the future.

Once she was about 5-6 months, her GI doctor decided it was time to start the workup for transplant. My daughter's health reached a point where she could no longer stay home due to liver failure, and she was admitted to the PICU at Johns Hopkins and was placed on the transplant list. It had been 45 days since she was listed when one day her doctors came in and said they found a match for her. But after her transplant, she went to the OR five times within two weeks, had a chest tube placed, and had 2 code bells ring throughout the halls of the PICU.

After four weeks of a bumpy rollercoaster, when the day of discharge finally came, our social worker, Erica, came to our room and told us that Sky had been admitted for exactly 100 days.

It has now been almost three years since her liver transplant, and she is as healthy as can be. She runs, jumps and plays with no limits. She has such a boldness inside of her that she isn't hesitant to bring out. She is fearless and ready to take on anything.

She graduated from her therapies and met her nutrition goals. She went from 11 medications to now only five medications. She went from lab appointments twice a week to labs once a month. She went from having GI appointments every week to now every five months. The light was there the whole time. The light was at the beginning of the tunnel, in the tunnel, at the end of the tunnel, and was also there waiting for the next tunnel. All thanks to an organ donor."

— Sky's mother, Paris

Story via Donate Life America 💙💚

11/14/2025

All November long, Ho***rs Trussville is hosting a special Wingsgiving event to benefit Donate Life Alabama!

Join us throughout the month to enjoy your favorite wings while supporting organ, eye, and tissue donation across our state. Every bite helps make a difference - and every donor gives hope.

11/11/2025

“My baby, Vincent, was so kind, so funny and so smart. He loved his sister and brother and was always there for his friends.

On his last day of 8th grade, he got a new bike. He had celebrated his graduation the night before. His first time riding home, he was hit by an SUV and didn’t make it. He held on for 6 days and luckily he was able to donate his organs and tissues.

He saved and healed 17 lives. A little 5-year-old-boy got his heart, a 10-month-old baby got his pancreas and so on. As difficult as it is losing a child, knowing he was able to save so many others lives, that's what helps me get up in the morning.

I was so devastated and obviously sad last Christmas. It was our first Christmas without him, and then God did the most amazing thing. He flipped my thinking and I literally envisioned a mom and dad watching their little boy sleeping and excited about Santa Claus coming in the morning instead of wondering if he would live to see another day. That healed me in a way I can't put into words.

God bless all the organ donors in the world and may God bless all of the recipients. That they live long healthy lives for the sake of their donors.”

—Melinda 💙💚

Story via Gift of Life Donor Program

11/11/2025

Thank you to the City of Vestavia Hills for welcoming us in their Salute to Veterans Day Celebration yesterday! Happy Veterans Day to all the brave men and women who served our country. You are appreciated beyond measure.

11/11/2025

Thank you to all veterans for your service! Donate Life America shared this beautiful story of a veteran and tissue donor.

A devoted father, U.S. Marine, and police officer, Peter tragically passed away in October 2023. Peter not only protected and served his community during his life but also gave the ultimate gift after his passing as a registered donor. Peter's mother, Denise, said this of her son, “Peter spent his entire life loving people before himself. A week before he passed, he asked me if I was registered as an organ and tissue donor. When I said yes, he told me he was too. That’s who he was – always thinking of others. Knowing that he helped many people through his tissue donations is a calming reminder of his generosity and spirit.” Peter showed a passion for helping others from a young age. While in high school, he earned an EMT certification and volunteered with the local rescue squad. After high school, Peter enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Hawai'i for 4 years. Peter’s dedication, discipline, and compassion defined his service. After receiving an honorable discharge as a Lance Corporal, Peter returned to his hometown in New Jersey and joined the police force.

This Veterans Day, join us in honoring those who dedicated their lives to helping others and whose legacies live on through their decision to be organ, eye and tissue donors. 💙💚 Register your decision to be a donor at RegisterMe.org. Thank you to NJ Sharing Network for this story!

11/10/2025

Having a wonderful day at the 2025 Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville. Have heard many beautiful stories about personal connections to our mission and opportunities for collaboration. Thank you for including us!

11/07/2025

November is Native American Heritage Month. 🧡 Within the donation and transplantation ecosystem, Native communities have long demonstrated a spirit of giving, resilience, and strength. Yet they continue to face disparities in access to healthcare and transplantation. This month, we highlight the contributions of Native American donors and donor families whose selfless gifts have saved countless lives. We also raise awareness about the pressing need for organ, eye and tissue donors within Native American communities. Native Americans and Alaska Natives currently make up approximately 2% of the U.S. population, with over 900 Native Americans/Alaska Natives on the national organ transplant waiting list. We believe in honoring these communities by elevating their stories, fostering respectful partnerships, and ensuring equitable representation in our shared mission to save lives. 💙💚 .org

11/06/2025

Thank you to the City of Pelham for inviting Legacy of Hope to take part in the 2025 Benefits Fair! We had great engagement and loved seeing everyone proudly showing the heart on their driver’s license. 💙