Stories of Hope
Date of death: March 18, 2018
Donated: Heart, lungs, liver and kidney
Tammy Ekrut
Living Donor
December 8, 2015, University Hospital
San Antonio, Texas
Michael Pettijohn
Liver Recipient
December 8, 2015, University Hospital
San Antonio, Texas
Kidney Recipient
April 18, 2014, Miami Transplant Institute,
Miami, Florida
Manny Garcia is a DJ, blogger and voiceover actor. He and his wife, Nidia, have a 3-year-old son, Josiah.
None of this was even possible a few years ago.
Registered Organ and Tissue Donor
Houston, Texas
Reginald C. Adams fundamentally believes that everyone deserves access and exposure to the arts. A public artist, “artrepreneur” and community developer, Reginald is known for his award-winning mosaic murals and art installations, strategically located in some of Houston’s most historic and underserved neighborhoods. He says he owes his inspiration to his travels in more than 30 countries across the globe.
Kidney and Liver Recipient
August 31, 2016, Children’s Medical Center
Dallas, Texas
Maddie Smith was born with a rare genetic condition called methylmalonic academia – her liver had a defective enzyme that was unable to break down four amino acids in protein, which led to kidney failure. Maddie would need a new liver and a new kidney.
Liver Recipient
February 17, 2008
Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
In February 2008, Gary Fickes, Tarrant County Commissioner for Precinct 3, was too sick to go to his son’s wedding. After suffering from hemochromatosis for 15 years, he was placed on the waiting list for a liver, and given only 6 to 18 months to live.
Flor Dimassi
Registered Donor, Co-founder/CEO
GlobalSpeak Translations
Houston, Texas
Thomas Lacombe
Donor Father, Co-founder/President
GlobalSpeak Translations
Bellaire, Texas
Evan Lacombe
Tissue Donor
June 30, 1988 – November 2, 2016
Jack, Julie, Jackson, Ryann, Kate and Ella
Donor Family
Fairview, Texas
Jennifer “Jen” Roberts
Organ and Tissue Donor
September 16, 2011 – July 10, 2016
Donor Family
Fort Worth, Texas
Jesse Castruita
Organ and Tissue Donor
May 10, 1969 – November 9, 2014
Jesse and Theresa were high school sweethearts. Married for 27 years, they raised three children. Theresa describes Jesse as her hero.
“He was the life of the party and would give you the shirt off his back,” she said.
Heart Recipient & Son
July 10, 2011
CHI Baylor St. Luke’s, Houston, Texas
Alejandro Mata Mill had cardiomyopathy on the left side of his heart, leading to enlargement, ventricular tachycardia – and heart failure. He was only 31, and he had a 4-year-old son to take care of.
“I felt weak, I couldn’t breathe, walk, eat or do anything. My life just stopped.”
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