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Tabby and Savana Coffman, Recipients
Savana began not feeling well in mid-September 2007. We went with her to the doctor three times in a ten day span, but were told it was just the flu. She was vomiting, weak, had low blood pressure and no energy at all. She was even without energy for cheerleading, which was really unusual.

On October 1, I took her to the emergency room, and they instantly transferred Savana to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. There I was told that she would need a heart transplant due to a genetic condition. She received her new heart on Nov. 14, 2007.

Savana is back to school this year and made varsity cheerleading!!! The gift of life has given just that to my daughter--a chance to experience life and contribute to the world. Savana experiences life everyday because someone made the ultimate life changing decision during probably the most horrific time of their life. They decided to donate life even through the tragedy of losing a loved one. Our family will never ever be able to adequately express our gratitude. There are no words meaningful enough to say thank you.

I was diagnosed as needing a heart transplant after I delivered Sydney, my youngest daughter. During delivery my heart failed, and I was originally diagnosed as having a virus that attacked by heart. It has been 13 years since my transplant, and I always thought a virus damaged my heart. When Savana was diagnosed, it was then confirmed that we have a genetic condition.

We pray every day that Sydney will not have to endure such a surgery. I know that if there are not family members willing to donate life during the tragic death of their loved one, my Sydney and possibly others will not have the chance for life. Make that decision known to your family members before they have to make the decision unexpectedly. Donate! Life is a wonderful thing!!!!

Jason Parsons, Recipient
I never thought I would need the gift of tissue donation, but because of a terrible accident that my fiance and I were involved in, I was left with severe burns on my body. Fortunately my fiance did not receive injuries like I did, but because of the extent of my condition I was placed in a medical coma for weeks as doctors worked to give me much needed care.

Since the accident, I have undergone several surgeries to repair damage and to receive the gift of allograft skin.

Because of the gifts of others through donation, I have been able to return to an almost normal life. I love concerts, being outdoors and the opportunity to spend quality time with my new wife. I have also returned to work and am currently pursuing a degree. I am very thankful to now have all of these opportunities, given all that I have been through.

I would strongly encourage anyone thinking about becoming a donor to do it because of the major impact that it had on my life and because so much good can come from your generous decision. You can pass life on to others by making the choice to give the ultimate gift.

Sherre` Williams, Mother of Christopher Spencer, Organ Donor
One doesn't always understand or appreciate the gift of life until that gift is taken from you. My gift giving journey began not long ago. I first heard about organ and tissue donation when renewing my driver's license and then was asked about it when going in for a minor surgical procedure, but my answer was always "No, I'm not interested in that." Not that I am individual who is uncaring or unwilling to give, but because I never thought I wanted to take part in it and mostly because I didn't understand the donation process. Life is funny, one minute you don't know anything about donation and the next you are faced with making the decision to give or not give.

My son was a healthy 23 year old young man with his entire future before him, when his life was cut short by a fellow that didn't value his life or the lives of others. My son was shot and died later that same evening. Needless to say the wind was swept from beneath me, and I was in a state of shock. I had so many emotions inside--anger, hurt, grief and fear to name a few. After saying my last goodbye I was asked by a couple of wonderful women if I would speak with them. Once inside a conference room they offered words of comfort and asked if I had ever thought about organ and tissue donation. I answered yes. It was at that moment I knew what I needed to do. When they asked if I would think about donating Christopher's organs I did not hesitate and answered absolutely.

Although I do not have Christopher any longer, I am happy to know that the gift of his organs could bless another person to live longer.

This year when I went to renew my driver's license and they asked if I wanted to be an organ and/or tissue donor, I said "YES!"


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