35 years ago, David Rozelle suffered a major heart attack.  His heart stopped as he entered the emergency room and his next memory is of a doctor apologizing as she struggled to revive him.  She told him his heart had stopped for about three minutes. So began a long journey with a damaged and failing heart that led to a heart transplant in 2001. David returned to his profession as a university professor 10 months after his transplant, completing his 38-year career in 2007. To honor his donor and live a healthy life, in 2008 David began, at age 71, to run and earn medals at the U.S. and World Transplant Games. Today David volunteers his time to inspire others through his story, and he walks every day to stay healthy.

Heidi Miller is a serial entrepreneur having founded Heidi's Frogen Yozurt (120 stores) Tight Assets (5 stores) and The World Newsstand. Heidi was a nursing major in college and National Gymnastics Champion for many years. After college and gymnastics, Heidi competed as an International Women's Body Building Champion for a decade.  A resident of Laguna Beach for over 40 years, Heidi's believes in giving back to the community. Heidi learned that Bruce Cook, a mere acquaintance, was dying from kidney disease and needed a transplant. Heidi was tested  and she was a perfect match. Today both Heidi and Bruce are thriving and continuing to spread the message of being a living donor. You can give now... or later (pink dot), but we should all give.

Ten years ago, Jeannie’s life turned upside down when she was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition that required immediate heart valve surgery.  Battling numerous health issues and surgeries, she survived, but her health deteriorated.  That’s when Dr. Paul Stelzer performed another heart surgery called The Ross Procedure, which includes a donor heart valve. This surgery, in 2018, gave Jeannie her quality of life back. For the first time in years, she could enjoy life to the fullest. She has grand babies and she now gets to be part of their future, as well as her family’s. 23 years ago, Jeannie’s sister passed away from a heart condition and became a donor. Now Jeannie is on the receiving end of donation, and every day she thanks her donor for living another day.

Jocelyn Reed is an introverted extrovert who values family, community, love, faith and purpose. When the opportunity to be a living donor for her brother arose, there was no question that she would go through the battery of tests that ultimately proved she was the best match over her other siblings. In that moment, all that she valued came in the form of donating a kidney to her brother. Today, Jocelyn’s goals continue to be increasing organ, eye and tissue donation within her community and honoring those who have received a lifesaving or healing transplant. She does this in her important role as Project & Office Manager for Donate Life America and in the actions, she takes every day to promote organ, eye and tissue donation.

Lacey Wood, also known as Lucky Lacey, received a heart transplant at 18 months old from a baby boy named James. Lacey lived up to her nickname once again when her brother gave her one of his kidneys in 2006. “I am so grateful for this life and I live it to honor baby James and my brother by doing everything I can to live life to the fullest.” Lacey began speaking about donation and transplantation at the age of 8 and recently accepted a position with Donate Life California to continue her life’s mission. “I know that by continuing to share my story of successful transplantation, and what being an organ donor means, I can have an impact and change the lives of those who wait.” 

In March 2019, Laurie tore her ligaments and damaged her meniscus following a skiing accident. Doctors told her she would need a surgery that would involve tissue from a deceased donor.  She immediately remembered that her son Ryan, who had unfortunately passed away two years earlier, was a tissue donor, and she thought there was a small chance his tissue would be available. Thanks to the efforts from the American Tissue Services Foundation (ATSF) and Medtronic, Ryan’s gifts were available for Laurie. She never imagined she would be the first recipient of her son’s tissue. The surgery was a success and Laurie is now walking around with a part of her son’s knee! This is the silver lining in this tragedy, and Ryan’s gifts will help heal well over 100 other patients.

Regina Tanner is a retired nurse and attorney who loves to spend time at the beach, playing with her dogs and with friends and family.  Regina’s husband Cary was born with Polycystic Kidney Disease, and she always told Cary that she would give him a kidney whenever he would need it. In 2016, the plan for Regina to be Cary’s donor was put in place.  She was a match and the surgery was scheduled. The transplant team at California Pacific Medical Center later told Regina that she was also a great match for another patient in need, and they asked her if she would donate to a stranger if the transplant team could find a suitable kidney for Cary.  They agreed and became part of a kidney exchange program that saved 9 lives.

Robert Brown has been a critical member of the Tennessee Donor Services tissue recovery team since 2007 and is a Tissue Recovery Supervisor. In 2011, after a routine checkup, Robert learned he was in kidney failure. At around the same time, his younger brother was also told he was in kidney failure.  His brother’s physician performed a kidney biopsy, and both were diagnosed with Alport Syndrome; a genetic condition impacting 1 in 5,000 individuals. Robert was listed in 2013, and on January 3, 2018, he received the call; they had found a match. He received his transplant the same day and he immediately felt better. Robert returned to work in March 2018 and since then, he enjoys the activities he loves, hunting and fishing. His brother is still listed and waiting for his transplant.