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.

Photograph of Katharine Cooper sitting in a chair with a paisley pattern.

Katharine Cooper

Katharine Cooper was a wife, mother, teacher and trailblazer – licensed as the first Black person to open and operate a nursery school in Kansas City, Missouri.

After a life of giving to others, breaking barriers and shaping young minds, her gift of life-enhancing tissue was in line with the way she lived.

A headshot of donor hero Drew Hedrick in white shirt, black bow tie and suspenders.

Drew Hedrick

At 18 years old, Drew Hedrick’s life was just starting.

When Drew’s life was cut short suddenly and unexpectedly, his family’s only comfort was his choice to be a donor.

Portrait image of donor hero Tonya Buffington.

Tonya Buffington

When Tonya passed, her family didn’t hesitate to say yes to organ donation even though she had not registered her decision.

They now take comfort in the fact that organ donation has given others more time with their families.

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