Like father, like daughter. Annalesia, 19, had the same genetic predisposition as her father to a heart condition known as “familiar dilated cardiomyopathy,” which causes the left ventricle to become thin and weakened. Her mother, Talesia, noticed early warning signs. When Annalesia played youth basketball, she would become winded after only a few minutes on the court. After Kaiser Doctors determined that Annalesia’s heart was functioning at only 9 percent of its capacity, she was referred to UCLA Health for a heart transplant. On June 5, 2013 – Annalesia underwent a successful heart transplant at UCLA. Today, she is doing well and attending Cal State Long Beach as a biology-chemistry major, with aspirations to work in the medical field. She is forever grateful to her donor.

David Carlson was diagnosed with Keratoconus at age 16. Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea bulges outward and becomes cone shaped. As the condition progresses, the vision becomes cloudy or blurred. Doctors first treated David's condition with contact lenses. Unfortunately his vision deteriorated to the point of legal blindness and at age 21, David received his first cornea transplant, performed by Dr. Ramon Castroviejo, a pioneer in corneal transplantation in the U.S. His second transplant, also successful, was done a few years later. Besides being active in sight conservation through his local Lions Club, David has volunteered with ConnectLife (formerly Unyts) to share the importance of organ, tissue and blood donation. David is forever grateful to his donors for the gift of sight that made his quality of life possible.

In April 2015, after suffering from pain in the right leg, Ellie discovered that she had a condition called “osteochondritis dissecans.” In May, her doctor decided that Ellie would need surgery, and that she would need donor tissue. In mid-May, her doctor notified her that a fresh osteochondral allograft was available, and her surgery was scheduled. Physical therapy, careful balancing and wedding planning got Ellie through the summer months. Each time she saw her orthopedic surgeon it was good news – everything was healing well. Just like many other girls out there, all her life she had imagined what her wedding would be like. Thanks to her tissue donor, Ellie got married in September, realizing her dream of walking down the aisle without crutches and dancing the night away.

Since the age of 10, Gladys Gonzalez has been a diabetic, and growing up, she wished to be “normal” and enjoy a piece of cake, like most kids. Instead, she needed to check her sugar often, take insulin shots 3-5 times per day and watch her diet daily. Gladys’ kidneys started to fail in her 20’s, and by her late 20’s, Gladys was placed on dialysis and was listed for a transplant. On March 25, 2014, she received her new kidney and pancreas, which transformed her life. Gladys is now healthier than ever, and no longer diabetic. She often says that she’s living a second life and celebrates her re-birth every 25th of March. She is grateful and she volunteers with various local associations including Southwest Transplant Alliance and Donate Life Texas.

Born in 1963 with seven birth defects in his heart, Jeff underwent open-heart surgery at age four.  He got married at 28 and after their first son Alex was born, Jeff began experiencing pain in his chest. He underwent a second procedure to repair a large aortic aneurism. Jeff recovered from that surgery and six years later, had a second son.  For many years, Jeff experienced heart issues that led to heart failure. He was listed for a transplant at Cedars Sinai and in August 2015, a heart was found.  Thanks to his donor, Jeff can raise his two sons and be a good husband to his lovely wife. Last year, Jeff and his family met his donor family, and they have come together to honor his donor’s legacy.

Jessica was devastated when she received a breast cancer diagnosis in June 2017. She underwent five months of grueling chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy. While she was determined to be a survivor, she wondered about what life after cancer would be like. When breast tissue is removed during a mastectomy, the nerves that provide feeling to the breast, skin, and nipple are cut, resulting in numbness in the breast area. Thanks to a donor’s gift of tissue (a processed nerve allograft), Jessica’s surgeon was able to reconnect the nerves in her chest with nerves in her reconstructed breasts. This gift of donated tissue restored sensation to her chest. Jessica is now back to work as a nurse and enjoys the feeling she cherishes most – hugs from her two children.

When Jhett Skaggs, of Lexington, Okla., was just a few months old, he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, and his family was told that he would need a new heart. They relocated Jhett’s care to Texas Children’s Hospital, and two weeks later, Jhett received his new heart at just ten months old. Five years later, doctors discovered that Jhett had transplant coronary artery disease and that he would need another transplant. Jhett was listed in 2012, and after waiting 5 1/2 years, he received his transplant in July 2018. During his time waiting, he began taking golf lessons and got involved in the PGA junior league. Jhett, now 12, is thankful for every day he is given. He still plays golf, and hopes to play on a professional level one day.

In November 2011, Jim Vidas was the victim of a house fire that severely burned his upper body, face and head. Jim is alive today thanks to donated tissue. After the fire, he spent several weeks in Washington Hospital Center’s burn unit, requiring four skin graft surgeries to survive. However, the worst pain he experienced was the loss of his wife, Sandra, who died in the fire. This pain is with Jim every single day of his life, and he always honors her memory when he shares his story with others. Jim credits his donors for saving his life. He is also grateful for the medical staff who cared for him. Today, Jim promotes organ, eye and tissue donation as a Donate Life Ambassador, inspiring others through his life’s story.

The youngest of nine siblings, Juan Carlos (JC) Montañez was born to migrant farm workers in rural California. Growing up, he did great in school, but sometimes struggled at home. After junior high, peer pressure led him to join a neighborhood gang, and he realized he needed to leave his small town. JC’s moved to Colorado, where he found success until he lost everything in the 2008 depression. In 2009, while working abroad, JC was diagnosed with acute End-Stage Renal Disease and placed on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. After six years on dialysis, he received a kidney. Since his diagnosis, JC has returned to college to pursue a career in healthcare to pay it forward. He also volunteers for several causes and organizations, including Donor Alliance.

Khalieghya grew up believing it was “normal” to have received a transplant. The 17-year-old was born prematurely and diagnosed with biliary atresia soon after birth. A liver from a four-year-old boy saved her life when she was only six months. She has become a resilient young woman thanks to the power of organ donation. The year 2020 is very special for Khalieghya; not only will she be a part of the Rose Parade, she will be graduating from high school with honors. She also advocates for organ donation as a Donate Life Ambassador with Donor Network West and volunteers with her local police department and community programs focused on mental illness and resources for the homeless. She is also a member of her high school’s Black Student Union and a multi-sport athlete.

Kyle Carter was born March 17, 1997 in Greenville, SC. Shortly after birth, Kyle was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare disease that affects infants. Kyle immediately underwent the Kasai procedure to prevent liver damage. The surgery did not work for Kyle, and he was listed for a liver transplant. On Kyle’s second day of evaluations at Nebraska Medical Center, a liver became available and there was not a match listed. Kyle’s tests were accelerated. He was a match and had a successful transplant the next day. Twenty-two years later, Kyle is healthy, and a senior at Pfeiffer University. Kyle enjoys life with his family and friends. Kelli Anne Garner was Kyle’s donor hero. He has met Kelli’s family and to honor her memory, Kyle’s parents named his younger sister Kelli Anne.

In 1999, Lavinia “Vinnie” Brooks was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.  She continued with her life, pursuing a fashion designer career, and being active as a single mother to two boys.   In 2004, the disease progressed to congestive heart failure and in 2010; she received a defibrillator pacemaker implant to keep her alive. In 2014, Vinnie’s condition became critical. She was hospitalized and placed on the transplant list. Vinnie waited in the ICU at Keck USC Hospital for 6 months and 23 days.  Some days were good, some days were bad, and some days were terrifying.  On January 12, 2015, Vinnie received a new heart. She is forever grateful to her donor, and she enjoys her career, spending time with her family, and inspiring others to donate life as a OneLegacy Ambassador.

Mike DiPiano is a formidable man of 68. You would not think he received a kidney-pancreas transplant 21 years ago. A high school football player and wrestler, he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 17. Mike stayed healthy for 30 years until July 1996. While working the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Michael fell ill; his sugar levels were high. Doctors in Atlanta stabilized him and upon his return home, his pancreas and kidneys were failing. Mike was put on dialysis and was later listed for a kidney-pancreas transplant. Mike received his gift of life in 1998. Mike is grateful for his donor’s gifts. He has seen his children and granddaughter grow, and as a member of Team Liberty, he has competed at the U.S. Transplant Games and World Transplant Games since 2004.

Regina was an outgoing and active child, whose life changed unexpectedly at the age of 12, when she fell ill and was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. In 1987 Regina received the gift of life of a new heart. Thankful and blessed by her donor, Regina was able to go to college, marry her high school sweetheart Dave and watch her son Christian grow up. In the summer of 2018, Regina's kidneys were failing due to 30+ years of anti-rejection medication. She was in need of a kidney transplant.  Regina was listed for 2 weeks and received her kidney on New Year’s Eve.  No words can express her gratitude and love to her two angel donors and their families. Today Regina volunteers as an OneLegacy ambassador, inspiring others through her life's story.

Sam was born with multiple congenital heart defects, which kept him from engaging in the typical joys of childhood, such as going to school or riding a bike. For the first seven years of his life, Sam thrived as best he could, undergoing numerous surgeries and depending on medication, until he needed a new heart and was placed on the waiting list. When he was 8, he received a life-saving heart transplant that changed his life forever. After his transplant, Sam was finally free to live the life of a normal first-grader. Since his transplant, Sam has dedicated his life to inspire others. He and his family are passionate advocates for organ and tissue donation. Sam shares his transplant journey and the importance of organ donation on behalf of NJ Sharing Network.

After marrying her high school sweetheart, Tony, buying their home and giving birth to three children, Sherrell retired from nursing to care for her children. She was an involved parent and was her church’s organist, until being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in 1994.  After eight years of living with a sick heart and six weeks on the waiting list, Sherrell received a heart transplant in August 2002. She quickly regained her strength and resumed her normal activities. Five years later, she met her donor’s family and they remain in contact. After 10 years, Sherrell’s heart began to fail, as well as her kidneys. 17 months later, she received a second heart and a kidney in December 2012. Because of her two donors, Sherrell has been able to see her children and grandchildren grow.

On August 2009, when Terri Pilawa married her best friend, she was feeling short of breath. A year later, her condition worsened, and she was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis.  Her doctor told her that she would need a lifesaving organ transplant. By June of 2012, Terri’s condition worsened and she was listed for a double lung transplant. On June 24, 2015, she received her second chance at life.  She was so full of joy and happiness, but her heart ached for her donor and donor’s family. Terri was fortunate to meet them. Her donor was a 22-year old young woman, and because of her, Terri breathes freely today and lives her life to the fullest. Today, Terri volunteers her time to share her story as a proud OneLegacy Ambassador.

Tracey Warren-Hein is a wife and mother to two. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she thought her time might be limited.  In 2017, Tracey experienced frequent hot flashes and breast tenderness. She initially dismissed it, but later visited her OBGYN, got a mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy. She had the unthinkable—cancer. Doctors initially said that she would not need radiation or chemotherapy. However, after a double mastectomy, they learned the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. The original promise of a relatively simple recovery turned into exhausting treatments and hair loss. She was surprised to learn that during her mastectomy, she received tissue from two donors. Today, Tracey feels grateful to the donors who helped her heal through reconstructive surgery and return to a healthy, fulfilling life.