Stories

Donor Family

Recipient

Helena's Story

I am standing here before you as living proof that miracles do happen. But, of course, my miracle, like many others here today, came down to a family’s generous and brave decision.

This decision enabled something good to come from something that was otherwise simply a terrible event. It’s strange to think that on the day my world fell apart, someone else’s world was rebuilt in a new way.

Rochelle's Story

I will be eternally grateful to an unknown donor family who has lost so much but has enabled me to gain sight. I will forever have their loved one with me.

Jacob's Story

For something that seems so relatively small, it is amazing to think Jacob has saved the lives of three children – a teenage boy and two babies, children with similar conditions to himself.

Alan's Story

2010 saw liver recipient Alan McLellan go from a state of despair to euphoria over the space of a couple of months.

Jared's Story

We all miss Jared desperately but knowing that he lives on in six other people is enormously comforting.

Eion's Story

Eoin Crosbie received a liver transplant in 1996 and said the transplant saved his life.

Ruby's Story

To me it's simple - if you're prepared to take then it's only right that you should be prepared to give.

Zachary's Story

We take some comfort in the fact that Zachary's organs have given life to at least four recipients. Their lives are a testament to Zachary's wishes and we extend our love to them all.

Sue's Story

Having lived almost her entire life with a heart condition, Christchurch-based Sue Kobar nearly cried when her heart surgeon told her that - for the first time - her heart sounded normal.

Wiremu's Story

I tell them they can take their organs home with them like I did. Organ donation does not necessarily mean you can't be buried whole. I lost my mother last year and I buried my heart with her. It's her heart.

Margie's Story

This is my second chance at life so I look at it a bit differently now. When I took on the heart, I took on the responsibility of keeping myself healthy and doing the right thing.

Braedon's Story

Jill says donating Braedon's organs helped her grieving process and is something she would encourage all families to discuss.

Marcella's Story

I had a chicken in the crock pot and when my relatives arrived, I said to them that they were going to have to get their own dinner as I was going off for a heart transplant.