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.

Braxton Woods

Braxton decided to register as an organ donor at just 10 years old. His mother believes that if a child can be so committed to helping others, then adults should be able to make the same decision.

When Braxton Woods was 10, he went with his mother, Loretta, to the DMV. Braxton requested a Missouri identification card, and after learning what it means to be an organ, tissue and eye donor, he decided to join the registry. Three years later, when Braxton was in a car accident and passed away, Loretta honored his wishes to become a donor.

Chad Stacy

Already a hero for his country as a U.S. Marine, Chad became a personal hero for others when he donated his organs after a car accident — allowing his legacy to live on through saving and improving lives.

Chad Stacy dedicated his adult life to others as a Marine, serving two tours in Iraq. His mother, Linda Isaac, said Chad’s choice to serve rang true to his personality. “He had the biggest heart and the biggest smile,” she said. When Chad suddenly passed away, Linda and her family learned he was a registered organ, eye and tissue donor.

Cassia Millspaugh

When Cassia died, her family began to consider donating her organs — then learned she already was a registered donor. Today, they find comfort in knowing Cassia lives on through the people she helped save.

In a video beloved by her family, Cassia can be seen trying and failing to provide basic directions between two major cities in the state in which she always lived. Her frequent smiles, laughter and eye rolls throughout the video sum up Cassia’s essence: She was funny, loving, competitive, gullible and directionally challenged.

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

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