Donor Stories

Donor Stories

The gift of life through organ, eye and tissue donation has a lasting impact on donor families, recipients, recipient families and living donors. Read inspirational stories from families whose loved ones impacted the lives of transplant recipients through the generous gift of donation.

Donor Rose Erickson

Rose Erickson

When Rose Erickson suddenly passed away, her daughter, Ashley Trotter, supported Rose’s wishes to become an organ donor.

Since then, Ashley has met her mother’s liver recipient. “When we first met, it was kind of bittersweet,” Ashley said. “The liver was a perfect match.”

Trista and Kyle Smith and family

Trista and Kyle Smith

Mary and Tex Benjamin remember their daughter and son-in-law as devoted parents who impacted many people.

When Trista Smith lost her husband, he became a tissue donor. A couple years later, Trista passed away and became an organ, eye and tissue donor. Although the losses have been painful for them, Trista's parents are proud of Trista and Kyle for their selfless decisions to become donors.

Donor Rando Williams

Rando Williams

Air Force veteran and former small business owner Rando Williams was caring and supportive, performing small acts of kindness for his children even in their adult lives.

When Rando passed away, his family members were pleasantly surprised to learn that he could still be an organ donor at age 84.

Read about recipients and the impact their donors made, or tell us about your own personal experience with organ donation.