John's Ultimate Gift

On Easter Sunday, at 9:00 in the morning, we received a telephone call from the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium letting us know that our son, John William, was being taken into the operating room in order to have his organs removed for donation. We of course shed tears, tears of sorrow for our son but also tears of joy from the realization that on that glorious Easter Sunday morning there were a number of families experiencing gladness and relief due to the final gift from our son, the gift of life itself. Recently, we received a letter from the consortium informing us of the results of John's generosity. We'd like to share those results with John's friends and family.


John's heart was transplanted into a 57 year-old retired realtor. He is married, has four children, and two grandchildren. He was on the waiting list for three days prior to transplant. He suffered from Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), a disease of unknown cause that results in an enlarged heart that does not pump properly. His transplant was a success, and he is in good condition. He is looking forward to returning to some of his favorite hobbies, which include cooking and telling stories to his grandchildren. He is very happy and grateful for this gift of life that John gave him.

John's liver and left kidney were both gifted to a 56 year-old married man who lives in Virginia. Prior to receiving his transplant, he suffered from a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) liver disease which is fatal. He was on dialysis for two weeks, and he was on the waiting list for five months. Although he suffered some minor setbacks, his transplant was a success. John's recipient enjoys spending time with his family doing leisure activities. He is very grateful for this second chance at life that John has given to him.

John's pancreas and right kidney was gifted to a 53 year-old woman. She is a retired Verizon employee who has one child and one grandchild. Prior to receiving these precious gifts, she suffered from diabetes. She was on dialysis for nine months, and on the waiting list for seven months. The transplant was a success and John's recipient is in good condition. She enjoys sewing and solving puzzles. She appreciates John's precious gifts.

Learn more at www.beadonor.org