A Long Awaited Letter

After a long process, we finally received a letter thirteen months after Stephen gave life to another individual. Sending and receiving correspondence between the donor family and donor recipients respects each family's privacy and is quite extensive. While it is difficult for the donor family, it is also encouraging to know Stephen's death saved other lives. In addition, for the donor recipient, they find it difficult to correspond because of the circumstances surrounding their gift of life.

Stephen's liver recipient is an older 60 year old gentleman who lives in Ohio. He suffered from a chronic progressive disease which caused acute liver failure. He was second on the waiting list and was extremely ill at the time of his transplant. Stephen saved his life. When he is feeling well enough, he works at Goodyear Tire. He is the married father of two children. In his free time, he especially enjoys outdoor activities. In his letter he said that he had had several complications along the way, but continues to make medication changes and undergo multiple testing in order to improve his health status. Because of Stephen's gift of life, he is alive and able to spend time with his new grandbaby. He said he feels an obligation to cherish every day for Stephen's sacrifice. He would be eternally grateful to Stephen, and was very sympathetic with our loss.

The donor program is a wonderful life saving one. In order to educate others, Second Chance at Life, Inc., has designed a specialty license plate. It will become a reality once, and if, 900 applications and fees have been received. Your initial check of $25.00 will be held in escrow until all 900 applications are received. An application for the plate can be downloaded at www.kyorgandonor.org. Below is the total cost of the Donate Life Specialty Plate: $25.00 - initial fee with application, $9.00 - Paid at your County Clerk's Office once plate is available, $10.00 - Donation to Second Chance for continual public education efforts--$44.00 Final Total
Please sign up for the Donate Life license plate today.