The Home for Donor Families Online
Whether you are a donor family, healthcare professional, transplant recipient or friend, we welcome you to the National Donor Family Council's new online home. There are many things to see and do here, and we hope you'll visit us often. Comments or questions? E-mail donorfamily@kidney.org or call 800.622.9010. We'd love to hear from you!
Losing My Aunt
By Amy Jewett, age 19
It’s hard to lose someone close
to you. I was in sixth grade
when I lost my aunt Carolyn. I was at a friend’s house when my
mom called and told me the bad
news. there were so many emotions
running through me, and the biggest
one was disbelief. My aunt couldn’t
have died! I had just seen her a few
days before for my birthday! And I had been so quick to say goodbye
when she and my uncle dropped me
off at home because I didn’t want
to waste their time. now, I would
never see her again.
I can’t remember if I cried at her
funeral or not, but I remember that
my father did. I had never seen him
cry before, and I don’t think i’ve
seen him cry since. it was so surreal
seeing her there. I wanted to touch
her, but I was afraid that if I did I would feel how cold she was. As I went by the casket, I kept waiting
for her to open her eyes and say,
“it’s a miracle! I’m alive!” I know
this was a very silly thought, but
it just wasn’t like her to lay there
without a smile on her face. 
A Donor Sister's Thoughts on the U.S. Transplant Games
In 1999, my brother Paul died from massive head injuries after a terrible car wreck. He waited for me, the last family member, to arrive at the hospital before he finally let go. As you can imagine, we were heart-broken, stunned and along with that, we were immediately faced with a very an important decision. But we wouldn't know how important until years later.
The US Transplant Games May Be Over, But Their Spirit Lives On!
Be sure to check out the comprehensive reporting and photo galleries from the 2008 US Transplant Games at www.transplantgames.org! The stories and photos cover all the athletic events, donor recognition ceremonies and other special programs & events for transplant recipients, donor families and living donors. Don't miss this chance to get a sense of the achievements and emotional impact this amazing event inspires. And be sure to "Save the Date" for the 2010 U.S. Transplant Games, which will be held July 30- August 4, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin.
