Brenda Putnam: A Legacy of Gratitude

Brenda Putnam’s life changed dramatically after she was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in early 2022. “I learned I needed a transplant when I woke up from my coma and had dialysis technicians coming in every other day,” she recalls. Dialysis became a painful routine that consumed her life, leaving her drained and dependent upon her husband for even the simplest tasks. “I used to be such an independent person,” she says. “But dialysis made me rely on others for everything. It was hard to accept.”

After waiting more than three years, Putnam received the call that would give her new hope. On June 25, 2025, at Loma Linda Hospital in San Bernardino, Calif., she underwent a life-saving kidney and pancreas transplant. “When I received the call, I was in shock because I didn’t think it would be that soon,” she says. “All my emotions ran wild because I didn’t know whether to cry, be happy, or sad. I only say ‘sad’ because when I heard both organs were from the same person, I immediately felt sorrow for the family.”

Since her transplant, Putnam has embraced life with renewed purpose and gratitude. “This second chance at life means everything to me,” she reflects. “Previously, I felt like I was trapped, like I was stuck in time while everyone else moved on with their lives. But now it’s like I can be me again.” She honors her donor and their family daily, adding them to her morning prayers and holding them close in her heart. “What they did was help provide life again,” she explains. “I’ve been thinking about and praying for them every day.”

Putnam is now pursuing her dream of becoming a certified legal translator and looks forward to traveling and starting a family with her husband. She hopes her story inspires others to register as organ donors. “By donating, you can help someone else have a second chance at life just like me,” she adds. “Families will not only be grateful, but the peace of mind they feel knowing their loved one has been given more time is greater than you could ever imagine.”

“I’m deeply grateful to my donor’s family and for the unwavering support of my husband, parents, siblings, and all my loved ones. Life is good again!”