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Make Your Wishes Known | Bereavement Support | Medal of Recognition | Memorial Garden | Transplantation Works | Letter to a Donor Family

My name is Heather and I received your daughter’s heart. I am not sure what to say to you.

I am 34 years old and have been sick for half of my life. I spent the summer waiting to die. My husband and parents spent the summer looking after me and watching me die.

Please know that when the phone call came, one of my first thoughts was of you, my donor family. In fact, the pain I knew you would be feeling was the only real thing about an unreal situation.

How I wish you could know the lives you have touched. My husband and I have so many plans – I haven’t been able to wipe the smile off his face yet! The miracle is that so many people are not only awed but are changed by my experience. It may sound melodramatic but faith has been renewed be it in God, fate or the human spirit.

You have the sympathy and respect of all these people you have never met. And perhaps your greatest gift will be the awareness your action has raised. There is no telling how many other lives you have saved.

What I really want to say is “Thank you”. If you feel comfortable about it, I would love to hear from you and learn about your daughter.

Again, thank you.

Last updated on: December 30th, 2016