Mark is a law enforcement hero and now a proud recipient of twins, twin lungs that is… As I’m entering the 3rd trimester since my life saving bilateral lung transplant on New Years Day 2017, I try not to complain about the meds, the weakness, dramatic loss of muscle mass and
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Someone Else’s Tragedy Saved My Life
It was January 2009, just after ringing in the new year when I first felt ill. After a week of a dull stomach ache, I knew something wasn’t quite right and scheduled an appointment with my family doctor. He assured me that everything was fine and that I was just
I Hope To Encourage The Latino And Black Communities To Become Organ Donors
My journey to my kidney transplant started at the age of 16. When I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease stage 3. Tried different treatments to slow down the damage. At 20, I was told I needed dialysis soon so I had my fistula placed in my left forearm. At
Brady and Belichick are NOT Organ Donors
While a freshman in high school I was diagnosed with Polycystic kidney Disease. By my early 30s each kidney had grown to the size of footballs creating a distended abdomen. With all my internal organs pushed and squeezed I began to get sicker feeling like morning sickness. I was vomiting
CKF Honors Key Donors at Founders Circle
The evening of August 22nd was a special night for the Chris Klug Foundation. The night marked CKF’s Third Annual Founders Circle Dinner; an event created to recognize and honor key stakeholders and supporters of the Foundation. The work of CKF is made possible largely because of the generous contributions
US Capitol Police Special Agent Donates Life to Fellow Officer
In 2008, Noel Gleason and Shannon Croom were working side by side as Special Agents with the United States Capitol Police. In July of that year, with Noel’s life on the line, they became lifelong friends. “You need a transplant and you need one now.” So ended my fight with
He Is My Miracle Baby And I Will Tell Anybody That
My son Joshua turned 6 years old in May against all odds. He is my miracle baby and I will tell anybody that. When I was pregnant with him and I went to find out the sex of my baby, I was told that one of his kidneys was slightly
Inspiration at Elevation
The Leadville 100MTB mountain bike race spans 100 Miles across the Rocky Mountains. The race lasts for up to 13 hours for some riders, presents intense challenges of nature, and reaches elevations of more than 12 thousand feet. Brutal uphill climbs, high-speed loose gravel downhills, and the ever-present threat of
Qualifying for Disability Benefits After an Organ Transplant
If you have received a transplant, or are on the donor waitlist, you may be eligible for assistance. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers financial resources for people who have an illness severe to keep them from earning a gainful income. There is good news: you may not know that
Merrill Miracle
This is my family, The Merrill family. This is how I decided to be a living organ donor. This is our story of miracles. When I was four years old my Dad, Vance Merrill, went through his first living donor kidney transplant! A few years prior to needing a kidney