Tributes to Living Donors

Living Donors have given the most precious gift of all - the gift of life. Honor and thank a special donor in your life by adding your written tribute. Have another idea for thanking a living donor? Share it with us!

We Honor Them

This page lists 20 tributes at a time, click the Next Page button to advance.

Donor Name	Recipient's Name	Transplant Date	State or Country
Rob Smitty	Bob Hickey	Oct 21, 2004	USA , CO
Bob, Thank you for your enduring friendship since our meeting of strangers. Congratulations on five years! I know, it is a little wierd to think of me everytime you take a leak but I can live with it! Here's to our ten year anni!

Paula Cameron	Anne Cameron	11/17/2009	Arizona
Paula- As your oldest and only sister...I AM SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!!! By donating one of your kidney's to Mom after over 13 years of kidney disease in our family...I can't even describe how TREMENDOUS of a gift this is to our entire family; especially Mom. This is the most unselfish and truly priceless gift one can give. I know you are scared right now as we are just days away from the surgery; and, I just wish I could take away all of your fear and nervousness. Everything will be just fine, I PROMISE! I love you and I'm here for you always. We all love you very much, and are all so very proud of you! It takes an amazing person to donate an organ and save a life. YOU ARE AMAZING! WE LOVE YOU AND WE WILL BE THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. Love, Gina xoxoxoxoxo

Christine Leibrand	Jason Craft	12/28/07	maryland
Christy is my angel. She donated me her kidney without a thought. She is a loving mother of two boys that I am proud to be the godfather of. We are not related but are like brother and sister. Her youngest boy was 9 months when she donated me her kidney. I am very thankful to have her and her family in my life. Thank you Christy for giving me the best gifts anyone can give.I love you and will always be there for you and your family.

Brian Jackson, Jr.	Brian Jackson, Sr.	10/20/2009	Pennsylvania
My husband battled his failing kidneys in secret for almost a year. Upon finding out the status of his condition, and learning about living donors, my stepson immediately was tested for matching. When he came back a match, there was no hesitation in telling his father that he certainly would give him a kidney. Brian Jr. doesn't consider himself a hero, afterall, it's his Dad. But, Brian to me and a lot of others, your are our hero, and I personally would like to honor you for your courage and strength and the love you have for your father. THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU.

Carol Ryan	Thomas Espey	10/19/2009	New York
My sister, Carol, donated her kidney to our father.

Pat Brown	Jean Updike	09/08/2009	Indiana
I was in need of a kidney transplant due to polycystic kidney disease. As this is a heriditary condition, it is rare that family members can donate. My sister, Pat Brown, offered to be tested and was found to be an almost perfect match. She donated after spending about a year ensuring that her health was in the best possible condition. There are no words other than "Thanks" for such a gift of life. I have always loved my sister and am humbled that she so willingly donated her kidney.

Marcia Bumann	Roger Bumann	08/12/2009	Arizona/Iowa
My dad needed a kidney transplant after battling diabetes for over 30 years. After my mom was denied, my sister and I were next to volunteer. I was denied as my kidneys are connected to one another but luckily my sister, Marcia, was a match! The surgery and recovery went well and a big thank you to the University of Nebraska in Omaha. I know my parents are truly grateful to their daughter, Marcia, for donating her kidney. We all are! Now my dad has many more years to enjoy his grandchildren, his family, and continue to do what he loves - farming. Thank you Marcia and thanks to Him for allowing her be a match!




Cathy Kent	Diane Gallo Ryder	02/20/02	Arizona
My youngest daughter was 9 years old when we moved to Arizona to be near her adult sister, knowing I would not live long if I did not receive a kidney transplant. Since my illness is hereditary, no family donors were available. We searched for a church community to support us through that difficult time and chose the one where "that nice Sunday School lady taught us fun crafts." When "that nice Sunday School lady" learned of my need for a transplant she immediately volunteered to be a donor. 7 l/2 years later her gift of life still brings tears to my eyes because she has enabled me to watch my children grow and now to enjoy two grandchildren. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Cathy Kent!

Jennifer Medina Spuckes	Dominick Spuckes	05/12/09	New Jersey
My tribute is to my amazing wife, mother of 2 incredible girls. Nine years ago I met this amazing woman. You can call it fate, destiny, a miracle but are paths crossed and I am forever blessed to be with her. When I found out my first kidney transplant of 21 years was failing my wife without being asked said to me and her entire family I am donating. At this time we didn't even know if she would be a match. Well, to say the least less than 3 months ago she gave me a second chance at life and to see my girls grow up. I have been truly blessed to met an angel who I love more deeply each passing moment we spend together.

Lindsay L. Ferguson-Drennan	Mr. Lynn Joel Meberg	01/18/2007	Texas
Since Lindsay was born she was a "take charge" kind of gal. Of my 3 girls she was the one that showed a great deal of fortitude and conviction in all that she did or was about to do. Just before the holidays of 2007 Lindsay called from Texas and said that she was going to donate a kidney to Papa, my husband, her step-dad of 10 years. Tearfully, I told her that it was a wonderful thought, but that it took extensive testing and a quite deal more than just saying it. When she was home for Christmas she said it again. Again, our gratitude just for the thought of it was overwhelming. Then she said, "You don't get it! I arrive on Januray 17th and at 5:00 a.m. I am giving Papa my kidney." Our Lord works in mysterious ways but it is no mystery how his love and his creation, our Lindsay, is a living testimony of unselfish generosity for others and unconditional love for family. Papa danced with her at her wedding 10 months later - both of them with an unbreakable bond to each other.

John Stephens	Andrea Johnston	08/17/09	Kentucky
My son with unconditional love for his sister is a perfect match for a kidney for her. He is 28 and she is 31. We have had to change the date a couple of times for vacations, but now we are on our way. The love that I share for my children is unsurpassed for the honor that is due him. He did not want anyone else but him to even be tested. He insisted he give her more life. God knew what He was doing when He made my son.

Christine Plummer	Joyce Plummer	02/12/2003	Maryland
Christina, It has been 6yrs. 3mths. and 17 days since I recieved the "Gift of Life" from my niece, Christina. Not a day goes by that I do not think of what she did for me to be able to live with unlimited quality in my life. Many people had offered me a kidney but for one reason or another it did not work out. Christina told me she did not want to see me sick anymore and if she were a match, I could have one of her kidneys.When I got the news I asked her if she mind being in the hospital for Valentine's day and she said "Auntie, if you don't mind then I don't either." Everything went well and I now have two birthdays to celebrate every year; mine's and Christina's. Thank you again for the wonderful second chance at life. Much Love to you always, your Auntie

Melissa	Bobby	00/00/2000	Louisiana
I forgot to put my email address in my tribute below. It is Mlindsey73@gmail.com. Anyone with a website, info, or actual first hand knowledge please contact me.Thanks so much in advance

Melissa	Bobby	10/ 03	Louisiana
My Brother was born with Cystic Fibrosis. His first transplant was in 1988, a liver. In 2003 he received his second transplant, which was my kidney. In 2004 he received his third transplant which was a pancreas. He is now looking at a fourth transplant, which is a lung. I would really like to find out more information on lung transplants. If I was able to donate a kidney, wouldn't I be able to donate a lobe of my lung also? Organ donation changed my families life forever and after seeing how a living donation changed us I am also an organ donor after I pass.

Jennifer Anderson	Ben Zahri	07/15/2005	Texas
July 15, 2005 I donated a kidney to a wonderful man in Houston Texas. What an awesome family he has! They all welcomed my family and I with open arms. If I could donate again I would do it in a heartbeat! The surgeon that did our procedures said that we were the closest non-related match he had ever seen or done! I hope and pray other people will really think about being a living donor. You have no idea how you can change someone else's life for the better by one procedure!




Dawn Marie Lander	Charles Lander	May 12, 2008	Massachusetts
Last year I was able to donate my kidney to someone very special to me, my dad. It has almost been one year already and we are both doing great. I am looking forward to spending many more years with my dad and watching him enjoy his family and grandchildren. Everyone has an angel and my dad found one in me.

Nicole Skelly	Julie Gentile	2/04/2009	Massachusetts
Nicole gave me her kidney this past February and it had truly changed my life. I am eternally grateful for her love and friendship. This wife, mother of three, full time working mom literally put her life on hold to save mine. Nine weeks later, we are as close as sisters and both are doing great. My hero, thank you!

Drew LeBlanc	Corey LeBlanc	11/02/2007	Louisiana
A year and a half ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to donate a kidney to my older brother. This was his second transplant, the first being from our dad. I was a pilot in the Air Force, and was told by everyone that it would ruin my career. I hope everyone out there given the opportunity to donate can see the miracle it creates, and not let anything come between that. He and I are doing great, I no longer fly but can still serve and have more joy in my life than I ever had before. Seeing him healthy, and now with his first child, is the best sight I could ask for. All of you donors out there are true heroes! I salute all of you. God bless America!