In my first life I was a board certified emergency physician for ten years until I contracted hepatitis while working in the Emergency Department. After a nearly fatal relapse I was forced to leave clinical practice.
In my second life I was the vice president of a 600 bed acute-care hospital. During that time I obtained a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration and became certified in Medical Quality. Over the years my liver disease became worse. Eventually I was diagnosed with terminal liver failure. I was evaluated and placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant. After a very long and emotionally draining wait of almost two years I received a liver transplant. My doctors told me that my own liver was so sick, and so damaged, that I probably had less than seven days left to live!
Needless to say, I am very grateful to be alive, now in my third life. Every single day that I wake up, I say “Thank you, God” and “thank you” to my donor family. One month after my transplant I wrote an anonymous letter to my donor family which was forwarded to them by Gift of Life Michigan. However, in their time of grief, my donor family never answered.
Through a series of seven very remarkable coincidences, I discovered that my donor was a 21-year-old black woman, and the single mom of two young sons. She was in college to become a teacher when she was murdered. With a burning desire to say “thank you,” I attended the six-week trial of her murderer. Through the prosecutor’s office I wrote a second anonymous letter to my donor family, and after the trial ended I actually met my donor family. I was able to hug and thank twelve members of my donor’s family that day.
Our two families have since become friends. We have been to each other’s homes and family reunions. I have told this story in each of our churches, and both of our families have received hugs from hundreds of people. Our story has been in newspapers across the country, and we have been on Good Morning America, spreading the word about organ donation and transplantation. Our bond together continues to grow over time.
I am now employed by Gift of Life Michigan, where I am the Director of Quality Improvement. I volunteer with the United Network for Organ Sharing, Donate Life America, and the Donate Life Coalition of Michigan. I want to use my skills and talents to help improve organ donation and transplantation for all those still waiting for their second chance, and the donor families who give that wonderful gift.