Mid-America Transplant

02/22/2026

"A donor leaves a living legacy. I am so grateful to whomever's kidney I received. I pray for the family left behind and I hope they know that they are heroes in our eyes."

—Diann

02/22/2026

“My husband passed recently. At almost 79, he was able to donate his corneas and some skin. He would have been so happy to know that. God bless.”

—Sherry K.

02/21/2026

Over the past 100 years, Black History Month has brought essential stories into classrooms, families, and public life. Organ failure and the need for transplantation disproportionately affect Black communities, making this issue a critical part of health equity conversations.

Read more in our latest blog:

Over the past 100 years, Black History Month has brought essential stories to classrooms, families, and public life.

02/20/2026

“I’m beyond grateful for my second chance at life. My liver and kidney transplant journey began Aug. 5, 2018, and I thank my donor family every day for their selfless gift.

This is me three months before my transplant with my great-grandson and seven years after my transplant. I am so thankful.”

—Delpha F.

02/19/2026

“On July 14, 2025, I passed out at home. I never knew I was sick or anything. I thought I was healthy. I had never really gone to the doctor much, but when I finally did, they told me I had a preexisting condition called IgA nephropathy. From how they explained it, it is more of a genetic thing.

I ended up in the hospital for ten days while they figured everything out. They did a biopsy and found that my kidneys were about 80 percent failed. It was a shock. I was put on dialysis while I was still in the hospital, and that is when I started sharing my story on Facebook. I made a page, and my wife, Brittany, did most of the posting and we shared everything far and wide.

From the day I was diagnosed to the day of my surgery, it was only 105 days. I had my transplant surgery on October 27, and now I am about four months out. I feel great. There were some aftereffects, of course. The autoimmune medicines make it easier for me to get sick, but overall, I feel amazing.

My donor was my aunt, a living donor. Without her, I could have been waiting five to ten years on the list. What she did for me is something I will never forget.
To people who are hesitant about organ donation, I would say this: if you are thinking about being a living donor, reach out to the organizations that handle it. They will be very thorough. It is not something where you just sign a paper and go through with it. They will test you, teach you, and make sure you are healthy and ready. They only move forward if it is safe for both sides.

Before all this, I had heard of organ donation but never gave it much thought. I figured that when I died, if I had anything left to give, I would be willing. But now, after going through this, I am an advocate. I encourage people to register and be open to giving the gift of life if they can.

My faith is what carried me through it all. Even when my wife, my mom, and my family were worried, I kept my faith in Jesus Christ. No matter how bad the news got, I never lost that faith. Not one day was I shaken. That faith kept me strong and helped me get through everything.”

—Roman

02/18/2026

"My brother, Randy, died a little over a year ago on Feb. 7 at age 64. He donated skin, bone and, most of all, those big blue eyes that gave the gift of sight. Rest in peace, my sweet little brother."

—Janise

02/17/2026

“My husband, James, became an organ donor in May 2001 after suffering an unforeseen brain aneurysm rupture at age 43. We had been married for almost 19 years. These photos are from our wedding day.

Six people received his organs, and his pancreas went for islet cell research. Three of the recipients wrote to say ‘thank you.’ The last letter arrived four years after the donation, so you never know. That recipient asked for a response, so I wrote her back. I never heard from the other three people, but I’m OK with that.

After nearly 25 years, I still take great comfort in having insisted that my husband be a donor. It made his untimely passing feel less senseless and helped me immensely to know others were helped, too. Whenever I met any recipients, they became my husband’s recipients in spirit. I would do it again.”

—Laurel D.

02/16/2026

“My 21-year-old son, Jacob, was an organ donor on Dec. 31, 2020. He saved five lives. I pray every day for their continued healing. I hope they are all living life to the fullest.

I am now a volunteer for my local OPO. I speak to schools and attend tabling events to help raise awareness for organ donation. I also paint rocks, attach a story about my son, and leave them everywhere I go in hopes someone will find them and help us spread awareness.”

—Laurie G.

02/15/2026

"On my first birthday, when I had just 24-48 hours left to live, I received the gift of life from a 5-month-old in Iowa, named Cole.

I was born with three congenital heart defects: coarctation of the aorta (my main heart artery was pinched off), multiple VSDs (holes), and spongy myocardium (spongy, non-compacted heart tissue…full of holes!).

Today, just over 25 years later, I’m healthy as can be. I have a lot of doctors and specialists following me, but I work as a registered nurse. I got married in October 2025 (to an amazing man), and we just celebrated our first year in our first house!

I have a home full of pets and a truly amazing life! I never would’ve made it past my first year if it weren’t for the selfless act of organ donation.

This year, I’ll be competing in the Transplant Games of America for the 4th time, and I will finally be in the quarter-century club, something I’ve strived for my whole life." – Asia

Story via Donate Life America

02/14/2026

“My husband, Ken, was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and the only cure was a double lung transplant, which never became available.

He passed 17 months after diagnosis, aged 64. Although I was in a terrible state, knowing he was an organ donor (as am I), the only answer was yes.

He donated his eyes and has given two people sight. He lives on through them."

—Gay M.

02/14/2026

Happy National Donor Day! Thank you to all donors, registered donors, donor families, and living donors for your generosity! Share the love and register your decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor at SayYesGiveLife.org. 💙💚❤️

Learn more about National Donor Day (and download National Donor Day Valentine's cards!) at donatelife.net/celebrations/national-donor-day/.