Heidi
Heart Valve Recipient
Lakewood, Colorado
Heidi received two aortic valve transplants – the first when she was 11 years old in 1989 and then in July 2001. Born with aortic stenosis (the aortic valve was deformed and not growing with her body), Heidi underwent open-heart surgery to manually repair the valve and two angioplasties to keep the valve from closing off.
"The most apparent changes since my last transplant," says Heidi, "is the high level of energy I have day in and day out, whether I'm working out or just performing daily tasks. I've learned since having the transplants, that I have a brighter outlook on life than others might have. I have a peaceful, fun-loving and easy-going spirit. Without the transplants I wouldn't be alive."
Ryan
Heart Valve Recipient
Colorado Springs, Colorado
(now resides in Texas)
Cristella
Liver Recipient
Denver, Colorado
After a routine blood test, Cristella learned that she had cirrhosis of the liver, a disease common among aging women. Soon thereafter, she went on the waiting list for a new liver. In November 1998, Cristella's prayers were answered, when she received an 11-year-old's liver. "I received another chance at life," says Cristella. "The feeling is impossible to explain – but I am grateful and thankful to God and to all that made it possible, especially my donor family."
Today, Cristella enjoys a vital and vigorous lifestyle, hosting a Spanish-speaking AM radio program and working in missionary efforts. "The hardest part of waiting was wondering if an organ would one day be available," she says. "Life has become a precious gift that I probably took for granted before. Thinking of the one who died so I could live can be painful, I feel sad and grateful at the same time."
Mike
Kidney Recipient
Aurora, Colorado
At the age of 46, doctors informed Mike that he would require a kidney transplant in order to survive. On April 26, 1996 he received his wife Sheryl's kidney. "For this gift I will be forever grateful," says Mike. "I do believe in miracles. When you donate you are not only saving that person, you are saving that person's entire family. Life is short and every day is worth millions."
Mike says that the hardest part of the process was waiting for the transplant while attending dialysis and suffering the physical changes. "I have always led an active life," he says, "and I still do. I now get to spend time with my four children and granddaughter."
Archie
Kidney Recipient
Denver, Colorado
Archie is used to giving back, but is not used to taking from others. After learning that his kidney was failing, Archie went on dialysis while waiting for a new organ. In 1990, he underwent transplant surgery and seven years later, learned that his new kidney is also failing. Archie has once again been placed on the waiting list.
Despite it all, Archie is planning for the future. He recently received his B.A. in business management and also hosts his own cable television show, "Black Transplants Action Committee." But Archie's credits don't stop there. He also produces other health-related shows and public service announcements for charities and nonprofits. "Maintaining a positive outlook about life is the key to survival," he says.
Chris
Liver Recipient
Aspen, Colorado
A US Olympic snowboarding bronze medallist, Chris Klug is at the top of his game. But it hasn't always been that way. In 1993, Chris was diagnosed with primary schlerosing cholangitis (PSC), a rare liver disease that inflames and scars the bile ducts and eventually causes the liver to stop functioning. In 2000, after seven years of waiting, Chris received a liver transplant and, four days later, he left University Hospital.
But that's not the big story. Within weeks Chris was back on the slopes and six months after his liver transplant, Chris took home a World Cup victory in the parallel giant slalom race in Italy.
Peggimaxine
Cornea Recipient
Denver, Colorado
In 1997 Peggimaxine Smith received a cornea transplant in her right eye and 2000 a second transplant to her left eye. "For years I hid the fact that I was losing my sight," she says. "There were a lot of places I couldn't take my kids because my vision didn't allow me to drive at night. I have loved to read for years and had been unable to do so.
"The families involved in my transplants gave me a chance and I am truly grateful," she says. "The hardest part about waiting was not knowing when I would receive the call, wondering if the surgery would work, and would it hurt. Now I can take my kids to events, shows, movies. It gives me more confidence. I was blind and now I see."
Alicia
Liver Recipient
Denver, Colorado
One day a five-year-old Alicia was a normal little girl. A week later she had turned yellow, had stopped eating and was losing weight. "My daughter was dying before my eyes," says her mother, Consuelo.
Alicia suffered from acute liver failure – one day she was healthy and within a matter of days she was in Children's Hospital, getting worse by the day.
Alicia's liver transplant gave her back her childhood and her life. "She wonders why she is the only one she knows that has to take medicine," says Consuelo. "Life is somewhat back to normal, but things will always be different for Alicia in a special kind of way. We have received a picture and letter from the donor family. That donor family gave us the most precious gift of all – Alicia's life."
Joel and Steve
Liver Donor / Liver Recipient
Trinidad, Colorado
In 2000, Joel Westbrook learned that Steve Hicks needed a liver transplant if he was going to live – so Joel donated his.
"This experience has made me more aware of the pain and suffering of people on the transplant waiting list and the fear and frustration of chronic illness," says Joel. "It's made me appreciate the things I don't have to struggle with. Any sacrifice I made is far outweighed by the real benefit to a person and their family." Steve Hicks, the liver recipient, had a congenital liver disease and doctors felt he would not live long enough to wait on the list. When none of his family members were suitable for a living donor transplant, Joel's liver was a match.
Jon
Bone Recipient
Denver, Colorado
Judith
Liver Recipient
Limon, Colorado
Active in Colorado politics, Judith never dreamed that she would have to campaign for a new liver. In 1996 she was diagnosed with an unknown type of hepatitis, which led to the deterioration of her liver. Less than a year later, Judith's liver failed. "After being comatose for six weeks, I was read my last rites," she says. "Several weeks later on my wedding anniversary, my family received word that a matching donor had been found."
Before surgery Judith had little energy, but now leads a rich, full life. She keeps an extremely busy schedule, balancing family and politics. She ran for county treasurer in Lincoln County and works at three churches.
Teresa
Heart and Double Lung Recipient
Clifton, Colorado
Diagnosed with a heart defect at birth, Teresa eventually found the need for a new heart and lungs. Before receiving her transplant in April 1994, the simplest daily tasks were impossible. "Before my transplant I was on oxygen and couldn't even dress myself," Teresa says. "I needed help with everything because I got so tired. Now I can do so many things."
Today, Teresa breeds miniature pinschers and places them in good homes. "God gives us life to enjoy, not stress over," she says. "Even when things look bad, you just might be looking at things the wrong way. When I got out of the hospital two weeks after surgery, I was taking 60 pills a day and wore a mask everywhere I went. Now I only have to wear a mask in the hospital or if I know someone is sick."
Andrew
Kidney Recipient
Thornton, Colorado
There was little chance Andrew would find a kidney for his second needed transplant. Andrew received his first kidney transplant at age six, which lasted 16 years. Doctors told him that only 12 percent of the population would be a potential match.
But miracles do happen. A kidney became available so well suited to Andrew that doctors said the match might as well have been from a sibling. The kidney, however, was donated by a fellow church member. "Without transplantation I would not be able to see my son's fourth birthday," says Andrew. "The transplant was a life saver – it's the feeling of being reborn. I was very, very ill and spent a lot of time away from my family not feeling well. This has restored my life. I can do anything and everything. It has expanded my outlook. When your days seem to be a struggle, transplantation makes you a normal person. God can definitely work through anything."
