Donors and recipients

Honoring the gift.

We are grateful to hear from donor families and recipients about the impact of their experiences. Please consider sharing your story to help spread awareness about the donation process and the life-changing difference it can make.

Read more about the thoughtful donors and appreciative recipients.

Share your story

Donor Family Story: Doug Hall

My brother was an amazing human being.  He was three years older than me, and he was my hero since the day I was born.  He read every book we owned to me and my sister and was always reading, learning, studying, and exploring to learn more than most young boys his age.  Our childhood […]

Donor Family Story: Harold Collins

My father was an awesome person anyone that met him knew he was a warm hearted person and would have helped anyone he could when I received the call after he passed from miracles in sight I knew that if he could help someone he would and I felt like he lives on with the […]

Donor Family Story: Guy Giesen

Guy was born on October the 25, 1955 in Austin Tx to Frank and Betty Giesen. He grew up on Hancock Drive in Austin where he had many adventures and made many friends. Guy loved motorcycles and throughout his teen years he threw newspapers and cut grass to earn money to purchase his bikes. He […]

Recipient Story: Shelly Cleek

“I was the blessed recipient of cornea tissue that changed my life unlike anything previous or ever will. I now see the world through more grateful eyes and it shall never be looked at the same again.” – Shelly Cleek, Corneal Tissue Recipient It is always a beautiful thing to hear a recipient’s story after […]

Donor Family Story: Dylan Charles Stone

Dylan Charles Stone easily won the hearts of nearly everyone he met. He had a warm demeanor and a friendly vibe that made others happy to help him out anytime he asked. His family and his friends had his unwavering devotion. He was entertaining and funny and one of the most approachable people you could […]

Donor Family Story: Francisco “Paco” Rodriguez

Francisco “Paco” Rodriguez was a special man to everyone he encountered. Exemplifying what it meant to live life to the fullest, he loved everyone with abundance and always treated everyone with respect. Paco lived a full life. Born-and-raised in a small town of Mezquital in Mexico, he was a true cowboy at heart. When my […]

Donor Family Story: Tyese Jackson Miller

My name is Demetria Jackson. I am the daughter of Tyese Jackson Miller. I wanted to just share a little about my mother. My mom was SC State Mentor for more than 20 years, she was also an arbitrator for the state of South Carolina. She was also a chaplain and volunteered at DDJ for […]

Donor Family Story: Jack Deloplaine

NFL football fans, especially Pittsburgh Steelers fans, will certainly recognize the name Jack “Hydroplane” Deloplaine. Drafted by the Steelers in 1976, Jack was a talented running back who earned his nickname, and a Super Bowl ring, by being particularly effective running in the rain. But he garnered an even greater reputation for his humility, kindness […]

Donor Family Story: Kelly Bulak

Our daughter Kelly would love to know that she was able to help someone see better. She was the most selfless, caring person who made all the rest of us better for being loved by her. We miss her every minute but there is some comfort in knowing how many people she touched in her […]