Register as a Donor
Transplant recipient and donor family meet face-to-face for first time in 17 years
CONTACTS:
Laura Frnka
LifeGift
(713) 349-2570 – Office
(713) 409-1480 – Cell
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2011
MEDIA ALERT/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
Transplant recipient and donor family to meet face-to-face for first time in 17 years
WHAT: Irene Curtis of Fort Worth and Amy Austin-Kinler of Covington, Louisiana share something very special, but have never had the opportunity to meet in person. Seventeen years ago, Irene’s daughter, Diana, at the age of 31, donated her heart to Amy. Amy, who suffered from congenital heart defects her entire life, was at 10 percent cardiac function when she received a new lease on life.
Irene lost her daughter to a brain aneurysm and made the selfless
decision to donate Diana’s organs. Irene says that Diana would want to be an organ donor because of her generous, loving spirit. She always was willing to help others in need. After Amy received her transplant, she was able to go to work and do things she was never able to do, including riding roller coasters. In fact, Amy often rides roller coasters in honor and celebration of Diana’s life.
WHEN:
Thursday, April 28, 2011
12 p.m.
WHERE:
Texas Health Fort Worth
1301 Pennsylvania Ave.
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Hospital Meditation Garden
QUICK
FACTS:
More than 110,000 Americans are waiting for a lifesaving transplant
Nearly 11,000 Texans are on the waiting list and nearly 3,000 live in the Fort Worth area
Every day, 18 people die due to the lack of available organs for transplantation
Thirteen people are added to the waiting list for an organ daily
