heart donor – Midwest Transplant Network

When complications from a brain tumor took her life, Stephanie Meléndez gave the ultimate gift. She donated her heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, bone and skin.

Speaking softly, Yahaira Meléndez describes her wife, Stephanie, as the brightest person she has ever known. She was beautiful inside and out with a love for singing and dancing. The couple first met while working at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico where Stephanie was a concierge and Yahaira was a bartender.

Choosing to Become a Donor

When Stephanie later moved to the United States, she noticed Yahaira’s driver’s license identified her as an organ donor. Inspired, Stephanie made the same decision. “I think I’m going to do that,” she told Yahaira, who encouraged her: “Go ahead and do it. It’s something good that you can do.”

Tragically, complications during surgery to remove a brain tumor ended Stephanie’s life far too soon. In keeping with her decision, Stephanie, affectionately called Fanny, became a donor hero. She gave the gifts of her heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, bone and skin, saving and healing the lives of many.

A Legacy of Love and Life

“Our family is sad because we don’t have Fanny with us,” Yahaira shared. “But we’re happy because with her help, there are a lot of people who will live, including the girl who has her heart. She was 14 when she got it and is 16 by now. Thanks to my wife, she’s going to be the woman she wants to be.”

Even in loss, Yahaira finds comfort in knowing her wife’s legacy lives on through others. “I’m just so proud of her. Even though she’s not here, I know she’s with us. I’m proud that her decision made so many people happy, because their families are going to be with them a little longer. Her spirit is going to be with us forever.”

A middle school multipurpose room with a performance stage. Rows of black stackable chairs with slips of purple paper to mark seat numbers for the ticketed show. Long tables filled with brightly wrapped candy, sweet treats and the smell of spun sugar from a cotton candy machine complement the anticipation.

It’s opening night.

The lights dim.

The curtain rises.

The show begins.

“Come with me, and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination. Take a look and you’ll see into your imagination.” ~ Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Students and families at Harmony Middle School in the Blue Valley School District raised $2,856 from their spring musical, “Willy Wonka,” and donated the ticket sales to Midwest Transplant Network in honor of a donor hero family.

Annually, the student cast gets to nominate a charity. Students give a quick speech about an organization that’s had an impact on them, and the cast votes to choose “the most deserving.” David Davis, theater director at Harmony Middle School, said this is the 15th year of the benefit performance.

Five people standing center stage in front of a curtain. Fourth person from the left is holding a microphone and reading from a sheet of paper.

The Dirks family and Midwest Transplant Network staff are center stage during intermission at Harmony Middle School in the Blue Valley School District.

This year, students Belle and Beau Dirks successfully advocated for MTN with their personal story. Their father, Josh Dirks, passed away in November 2021 and became an organ donor hero by way of his heart.

During intermission, the Dirks family took center stage – Belle and Beau, mom Tiffany, and sister Ella. Belle shared their organ donation journey from written remarks while Beau held a large, framed photo of their dad. Their grandparents, younger sister and family friends were in the audience, beaming with pride and emotion.

“…The day he went to heaven was the hardest day of my life. We were in his hospital room when they told us that he wasn’t coming home. There were so many people in the room, but I remember one lady, Ms. Gretchen, from Midwest Transplant Network. She hugged all of us and told us that it was going to be ok.

“…She told us what it means to be a donor, how important his decision was, and how he would be able to help someone else continue to live. Then, she laid a blanket on him that had the word HERO printed on it.”

Belle shared more of their story, then closed with a clear call to action:

“I know it is a difficult decision to become an organ donor, but I encourage you to sign up. Their motto is GIVE HOPE, SHARE LIFE — and that is what you do when you sign up to be an organ donor.

“You never know, you just might become a HERO in someone else’s story – Just like my daddy did!!”

The audience applauded.

The lights dimmed.

Five people are center stage during intermission at a school musical, posing for a photo.

The Dirks family and MTN staff after presenting a contribution to Midwest Transplant Network. From left to right: Tiffany Dirks, mom; Nichole Asquith, MTN; Beau holds a photo of Josh Dirks, father and donor hero; Belle and Ella Dirks.

And the show went on.

Midwest Transplant Network is appreciative to the students, families, teachers and staff of Harmony Middle School and their generous contribution to support organ, eye and tissue donation, and MTN is humbled to be a part of the Dirks family organ donation journey.

Please learn more about what it means to become a registered organ donor at mwtn.org.

Tag Archive for: heart donor

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