Transplant Recipient Stories

In Celebration of National Minority Donor Awareness Week

By: Jaime Tellez, Cornea transplant recipient In 2008, at six years old, I developed aggressive cataracts on both eyes that grew so quickly that I was nearly blind within four weeks of being diagnosed. Soon after having surgery on both of my eyes, surgeons determined that I had cornea damage on my right eye from […]


Advocate Spotlight: Janet Rost

In the fall of 2011, Janet Rost fell into end stage liver disease. Her doctor at the time encouraged her to complete her bucket list without delay, but thanks to the ultimate gift from someone she’ll never know, she is living life to the fullest with a new liver. Janet’s problems began when she unknowingly […]


Cayde – Lung Recipient – Cheyenne, WY

Cayde is a very active little girl. She’s bright, loving friendly and funny! Cayde wasn’t always so energetic though. She couldn’t be. Born 13 weeks early, she started life with the many struggles of a preemie, including pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vein stenosis. The diagnosis discouraged her from running and playing too hard as she […]


Jason – Heart Recipient – Casper, WY

In 2009 Jason’s world was turned upside down when he went from a healthy, active life to nearly dying in just a month. He began experiencing symptoms of a cold that got progressively worse. Upon visiting a doctor, he was diagnosed with an unusual strain of pneumonia. Just four weeks later he had congestive heart […]


Día del Nino: Celebrate the lives of children saved by organ, eye and tissue donation

Día del Niño (Children’s day), a Mexican observance celebrated on April 30th, is dedicated to honoring and appreciating children. At Donor Alliance, we are celebrating the lives of the more than 47 thousand children in the U.S. who have received a second chance at life through organ, eye and tissue donation. In our community alone, […]


Connor – Two Time Heart Recipient

Connor was diagnosed with a deadly heart disease that required 2 life-saving heart transplants by the time he was 11 years old. Today Connor is an active 24-year-old studying economics and politics. He’s also a musician and plays drums in a punk band. “I hope my story helps people understand that members of their community […]


Transplant recipient letter to the editor: Celebrate National Donate Life Month

We thank Nieves, of Alamosa, for sharing her heartfelt advocacy for the cause of organ, eye and tissue donation with her hometown newspaper, The Valley Courier, earlier this month. Nieves is a liver transplant recipient; read her message: Letter: Celebrate National Donate Life Month this April at Alamosa Tree Planting After being diagnosed with kidney […]


Natrona County DA speaks about his heart transplant

Natrona County, Wyoming District Attorney Michael Blonigen is ready to speak about the life-saving gift he received last fall. Suffering from multiple heart complications after undergoing bypass surgery, stints and even a pacemaker, Blonigen was told by his doctors that his heart was only working at 10% capacity and that he would need a life-saving […]


Step-Daughter Gives Step-Dad the Gift of Life

April is National Donate Life Month, a celebration of those who have saved lives through the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation. It’s also a reminder that there are nearly 200 people in Wyoming waiting for a life-saving transplant. One Casper man was on the list, waiting for a kidney for nearly five years. […]


Wyoming Heart Recipient Raises Flag for National Donate Life Month

For over 30 year, Natrona County District Attorney Mike Blonigen has done his part to keep the streets of Casper safe. The prosecutor is known for his strong and eloquent demeanor in the courtroom. What many people don’t know, is that Blonigen faced the biggest battle of his life not in a courtroom, but in […]


Tiffany’s Story

Diagnosed with complete cirrhosis of the liver and told by doctors to get her affairs in order, Tiffany’s life was saved because her hero said yes to organ, eye and tissue donation. “I want to encourage others to understand the importance of this incredible gift of donation.” she says, “My transplant has allowed me a […]


Carmen Tarleton – Facial Transplant Recipient

febrero 29, 2016 // Transplant Recipient Stories

As part of our Donation Summit program we were honored to have face transplant recipient Carmen Tarleton as a special guest speaker. In 2007, Carmen was brutally attacked with lye by her estranged husband. In 2013 she underwent a ground-breaking face transplant. Now, Carmen travels around the world to tell others about her story of […]