"Without my transplant I would be dead, and with that would have been the death of the dreams that have materialized for me, my friends and my children. I was able to comfort them in their sorrows when their mother died, and share the joy of walking my daughter down the aisle."
- heart recipient, Daniel Krall, Milwaukee

"I'm here today, able to take care of my children. And I wouldn't be here if the donor family hadn't done this for me. It saved my life."

- liver recipient, Christine Mueller, Whitefish Bay

"It has given me extended life and that means I have work to do in helping others and I believe that is what love is all about."

- heart recipient, John F. Bartol, Wauwatosa

"My son Ryan, age 20, was killed in a vehicle crash. The family is very happy with knowing a little girl received one of Ryan’s heart valves."

- Ryan's mom, Laura Ruarke, Burlington

"I am grateful for the family who gave me the gift of life. I thank God for every day now."

- heart recipient, Marcie Keckhaver, Burlington

"My transplant is a precious gift that has given me hope, health, immeasurable joy and unfathomable humility."

- kidney and pancreas recipient, Christine Brown, Cleveland

"The last selfless act my 19-year-old son did with his life was to give it to another. Volunteering keeps his memory alive."

- Jason's mom, Susan Bautch, Pewaukee

"My transplant has given me the chance to continue enjoying life with my family and volunteer with the Wisconsin Donor Network."

- heart recipient, Andy Neils, Sheboygan

"I no longer have to worry about getting home at a certain time to hook up the machine for dialysis - I have a new lease on life!"

- kidney recipient, Donna Zerrien, New Berlin

"It has renewed my faith in the goodness of the human race. It has drawn me closer to my Lord. I thank Him each day for another day of life."

- heart recipient, Duane Dumez, New Berlin

"I’m a different person because of the whole thing. I wish everyone could know what I know without having to go through what I had to go through."

- kidney and pancreas recipient, Tom Zielinski, Milwaukee

"I’m living proof that organ transplantation does work."

- heart recipient, Holly Licht, West Allis

"I’ve never been athletic before in my life. All of a sudden, I can be."

- lung recipient, Kay Bauer, Richfield

"I’ve had the joy of being alive to see my grandchildren increase from four to eight and share in their lives."

- liver recipient, Harry Lensky, Milwaukee

"It has given me my health back as well as the chance to watch my children grow and spend time with them."

- liver recipient, Keith Keller, Grafton

"I have been given the greatest gift - the gift of time. Time to watch my treasured grandchildren grow and to reap the pleasure of knowing the effort of raising three children has proved fruitful as they are responsible, productive, healthy adults - passing on our family traditions to another generation."

- kindney recipient, MaryEllen Smith, Wauwatosa

"My family grew much closer in support and has remained that way. Four new grandchildren have arrived and grandma is here to love them."

- heart recipient, Jerryl Scannell, Muskego

"My transplant has given me energy and freedom. I have freedom to exercise without taking insulin shots (had taken them since age 11) and now life without dialysis. I have a new found energy and I am forever grateful."

- kidney and pancreas recipient, Gail Halloran, Milwaukee

"I was truly blessed thanks to T.J. and his family. It amazes me the amount of people who are willing to become donors. My life seems and is fuller every day. I enjoy sharing my story and my heart goes out to all those who have donated and hopefully are comforted by us who have received the life saving gift from them. Thank you."

- liver recipient, William Schneider, Kenosha

"It was the best thing we could ever do and then meeting Joan (recipient), seeing how wonderful she's doing tells me I know that I made the right choice."

- donor mom Cindy Montag, Hartford (of son Mark)

"I am amazed at the kindness and generosity of all donor families. I am forever grateful to my own donor family. Their son Mark lives on in me."

- heart recipient, Joan M. Marks, Townsend

"My daughter Karen (left) gave a kidney to her sister Deb (my older daughter, right) in November 1986. Both are still doing well."

- donor/recipient mom, MaryAnn Smith, Muskego

"Evan Holloway received a liver at age 4 in 1997. He was just a little guy with a whole life ahead of him. Thanks to organ donation he is leading a full, normal life."

- recipient mom, Julie Holloway, Milwaukee

"Seeing my daughter Pam married, being present at the birth of two grandchildren and being elected to our county board are some highlights of my extended life since my transplant."

- liver recipient, Joyce Ketchpaw, East Troy

"Justin was only 15 years old when he died, but he was able to help improve the quality of life for four people, including Tracy Washington. Tracy is Justin's heart recipient and is a wonderful blessing to our family."

- Justin's mother, Kay Bandle, West Bend

"I was the beneficiary of the great generosity of a young man who died. But his generous living spirit prompted him to sign his driver's license and to talk to his fiance about wanting his life to go on in someone else. And it does! Not only in me but in at least six other people like me."

- kidney recipient, Jeanne Werner, Greendale

"Donation has changed my life in many ways, since my brother's (right) donation. I have a new appreciation for life and what it means to so many people. I have been able to see what people can do with a second chance at life. I am amazed at the strength of the human spirit and the challenges they have overcome. Without Steve's donation, I might never have seen this miracle."

- Steve's Brother, Andy Gryske, Waukesha

"After I received my second chance at life, I was able to be involved in high school. I got the chance to go to school like a normal high schooler. I got involved in athletics and different service clubs."

- kidney recipient, Jamie Hagenow, Brillion

"Just knowing that two people have my husband's organs and that he gave life makes me feel that I know he still is a part of my life in someone else."

- donor wife, Viveca Murray, Milwaukee

"When the time comes, a new liver will mean I can see my kids grow, they will have a mom and my husband will keep his wife."

- future liver recipient, Elizabeth Scharmer, Mequon

"My transplant gave me a second chance at life. I can enjoy taking my grandchildren on vacation, and watching them grow up and play sports."

- heart and kidney recipient, Archie Wise, Racine

"My son's life was cut short, devastating our family. Donating his heart valves and tissue has saved two lives... and made us so proud. We know his heart
still beats on."

- Marisa Kluth, donor mom of Elias Kluth, Sheboygan

"After almost five years, we continue to be proud of our Jodi and remember her as that wonderful, "giving" person she always was and continues to be through her gift to other of her organ donation."

- Mike and Darlene VanBendegom, donor parents of Jodi VanBendegom-Garavaglia

"Although we miss our son, Kean, we feel blessed to know he could give the gift of life to others by donating his kidneys, liver, and heart. He will always be an inspiration to us."

- Olivia and Ryan O'Keefe, donor parents of Kean

"My son didn't die in vain. His heart recipient is a living testimony to the awesome miracles of organ donation."

- Susan Nelson, mom of Troy Nelson

"I have a great appreciation for life and admiration for doctors and the transplant program. Since my transplant, I've been able to be here for the birth of my first great grandchildren, high school graduations for two grandchildren and my 60th birthday."

- liver recipient, Sheila Jordan