Receiving this new cornea means everything to me. I definitely feel the world is my oyster and nothing can stop me now. I don’t have to just exist – I can be something now. I can go back to school, own and drive a car and have a job. This has changed my life forever. Now that I have this new eye, I can venture off and do wonders! I’m so grateful to my donor and their family for their gift.

Organ donation gave me a second chance at life, and I'm very grateful for that opportunity. It will allow me to follow my dreams.

Our brave decision to gift Diego’s organs, eyes & tissues to families in need of these life-saving gifts made Diego forever a superhero. And for us, our mission became inspiring others as to the importance of becoming an organ donor… save a life, save a family!

Now that we’ve gone through personal experience with organ donation, it feels good knowing our loss has helped others go on in life. Although we lost Desiree, she’s able to help other families. Her death also inspired other family members to register as donors, and they probably would have never thought about registering before.

I would like to thank Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency [a member of Donate Life Florida] for taking this journey with me, and stepping up to make a difference not only in the recipients’ life, but in my family’s.

If you look at my child before and after transplant, you can see what organ donation can do for someone.

After Justyn passed away, I registered as a donor. I had been one of the people who didn’t want to, but after he passed, I saw how much good it can do to donate. I’ve had multiple family members register since Justyn’s death. They’re amazed with how many people donation can help and save.

Organ donation saved not only my little girl’s life, but also our family of six. My life opened up to the possibility of real miracles. Receiving a transplant is the most invaluable gift from perfect strangers.

It was never a question for us as to whether or not Peyton would be an organ donor if we had to make the choice,” said Amy Evans, Peyton’s mother. “She made the choice when she received her learner’s permit just months before this tragedy occurred, and she has inspired many others to do the same.

“Kimberly had a huge heart,” Sherry Morales, Kimberly’s mother, said. “She gave to everyone. She gave other kids who didn’t have as many toys. She bought ice cream for kids at school. Kimberly gave, gave, gave. And her heart saved a little girl’s life.”

"Organ donors are life-givers,” Keron said. “They give people like me a second chance at life and a new perspective on the world."

"My son’s death was the day I died as well,” Cliff said. “Hope, faith, belief and spirit were all lost to me. When our family received the letter from the recipient of some of Jason’s spinal column, I began to realize that I might be able to spread the word of Jason’s decision to be a tissue and organ donor and encourage others to make the same choice.”

"It’s incredibly moving to know Anthony continues to help people even though he isn’t here anymore,” Demetrius said. “It’s beautiful to see other people live through his gifts. In death, he is like in life: kind, giving and considerate.”

Terri was able to give four people a second chance at life. Thinking of these people who are alive today because of Terri’s tremendous kindness gives us great comfort. Her spirit lives on in each and every one of them.

“My family’s experience with donation has been so wonderful that I felt the strong desire to give back and honor the gifts my father gave,” said Robert’s daughter, Erica. “Through meeting other donor families as well as organ and tissue recipients, I’ve found this journey to be so much more valuable than I had ever imagined."

Makisha now pays her Gift of Sight forward; as a teacher, helping children to love and appreciate reading and the gift of sight.

"Without the generosity of an organ donor, Adam never would have seen his second birthday. He wouldn’t have ridden a bike, lost a tooth or come home to his five siblings,” said his mom, Kristen. “Now, he’s a brilliant, thriving child!

“Danny was adamant about serving others,” said his mother, Peggy Pino. “Since his childhood, his dream was to serve his country. While he didn’t get to do that, he served humanity by wanting to donate his organs. We are proud of his legacy.”

I felt that Davion would want to be an organ donor because he was a giver at heart. I believe if he had lived long enough to make the choice on his own, he would have wanted to give the gift of life.

“She was relentless on the subject,” remembers her mom, Tracie Perbtani. “Raivyn would educate anyone about donation by looking them in the eye and asking the person directly, ‘Are you a registered organ donor?’”

Before my transplant, I was unable to see the big E on the top of the eye chart. After my transplant, I can now see the top four rows on the chart! Almost every day our son emails pictures or videos of our grandchildren. It’s such a blessing to see them clearly. Sight is a precious gift – I am so thankful to my donor for their thoughtfulness and generosity.

Having my life back because of my donor is a miracle and such a blessing. I can continue my passion of interacting with the children for many years to come.

For almost a year, I thought I would never again be able to create music. But my donor has given me a second chance and the ability to play music once again.

“I was able to give my son the gift of life twice,” says Melissa, “and live he does! Evan brings joy to everyone he meets.”

Stacey, who is very proud that the entire family are registered organ donors just like Jasmine, said, “Her life was short-lived, but she enjoyed every second of it. Jasmine was loved by many.”

To be able to live a normal childhood, get married, and start our family all because of my transplant is amazing. I'm thankful.

“De’Jael would not be alive without their loved one. It is because of them she can live out her dreams as a normal, healthy child,” says her mom, Karema.

Kristin was positive, gracious, giving and was filled with love and compassion for everyone. Upon her death, she was able to donate her corneas, tissue and organs to those in need.