Organ Transplants

Source: Donate Life Rose Parade Kidney recipient Age 33 ~ Jenks, OK Parole officer Sponsored by Astellas Pharma US, Inc. After three years of waiting for a transplant and receiving dialysis treatments, Juan received a kidney transplant from his girlfriend Lacie in February 2009. The two were engaged just two days before his surgery. Now, both Juan and Lacie volunteer by offering support to patients on the transplant waiting list and participating in local transplant fundraisers. In May 2010, Juan and Lacie will wed in St. Lucia, the first time they will take a trip together, having been denied previously due to the scheduling ... Read Full Story

Source: Donate Life Rose Parade Tissue recipient Age 29 ~ Aurora, CO Owner, Progressive Autoworks Sponsored by AlloSource Six years ago, 23-year-old Manuel Salazar’s life was changed in an instant when a crane on a construction job site hit a power line, sending two 115,000-volt jolts of electricity through his body. Miraculously Manuel survived, but his burns were life-threatening and required that his arms and legs be amputated. But thanks to Manuel’s indomitable spirit and donated allograft tissue, he not only survived but thrives. Now 29, Manuel skis, swims, drives and owns an auto body shop that employs a team of people. Manuel's Story ... Read Full Story

Source: Donate Life Rose Parade Kidney recipient Age 17 ~ Chino Hills, CA Student Sponsored by OneLegacy From the moment 17-year-old Matthew Ogle was born on December 15, 1991, his kidneys did not function. His parents were given the option of letting him go, but they chose dialysis to bide time until he was old enough to receive a transplant. After surviving 24 surgeries, in 1997 five-year old Matthew received a transplanted kidney, taking on the road to a normal life. Matthew is now a high school senior, manages the varsity boys basketball team, and challenges all members of the Class of 2010 to ... Read Full Story

Source: Donate Life Rose Parade Donor wife and mother Age 62 ~ Ft. Wayne, IN Teacher Sponsored by Indiana Organ Procurement Organization (IOPO) In 1998, Joann Nixon and her husband Phil donated their 11-year-old son Christopher’s organs after he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. The Nixons’ journey was told in “Christopher,” a Peabody Award-winning TV documentary that has educated thousands of Indiana high school students about donation. In 2007, Phil was critically injured in a tragic home accident. When he died, Joann, a 62-year old teacher, and their sons Glen, Matt and Ryan honored Phil’s decision to be an organ ... Read Full Story

Source: Donate Life Rose Parade Float Donor mother Age 50 ~ Kingston, NY Sponsored by Center for Donation & Transplant On January 21, 2009, Hazelee’s 11-year-old daughter Lena Laquaia-Leither Moultrie suffered a brain aneurysm. Organ donation honored a girl who was “always able to reach out to others.” It brings her family special joy to know that her heart was given to another 11-year old girl who suffered from a congenital heart defect. Although they have just started a new journey in their lives and miss Lena deeply, they are proud of her legacy, reflected in the four people she saved as an organ ... Read Full Story