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.

Real-life stories of organ and tissue donation (Midwest Transplant Network, Kansas and Missouri)

Dr. Larry Romang

When Larry’s grandson, Drew, learned his grandfather would be able to save others through organ donation after a brain aneurysm, he said: “That makes him a superhero!” Larry’s whole family couldn’t agree more.

Simply put, in the eyes of his family, Larry was the “man who hung the moon.” His quiet confidence and ability to just enjoy the world around him left those who knew him feeling valued and respected. His passion for loving and helping others was clear to his family, patients, colleagues, medical students, or a stranger in need.

Hally Yust

At nine years old, Hally was simply enjoying life when a tiny amoeba entered her body and caused an infection. Her family knew they wanted to share her zest and zeal through lifesaving organ donation.

Nine-year-old Hally had a drive to live life in a big way. She had a passion for basketball, water sports and, most important, a love for Jesus. She declared she was going to play basketball in college, become a coach someday, and even try out for the Olympics, and no one doubted that she would. In addition to being a competitive water skier, she enjoyed free diving and snorkeling with her parents, brother and sisters.

Nhue “Kevin” Thong Hoang Nguyen

Nhue tragically passed away at only 19 years old. He had never talked about organ donation with his family, but they knew he would want to help save someone else if he could.

Energetic, funny and handsome are just a few words that Nhue’s family use to describe him. When he tragically passed away at only 19 years old, his family made the decision for him to be a donor. “Donation wasn’t something we had ever talked about, but it meant that Nhue would be able to save someone else, so we knew we would say yes,” said his sister Truccie.

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

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