"You didn't just save me, you saved my family": A letter to my donor family
How can the words "thank you" be enough to you, the family that has literally given me the gift of life? Words can never seem enough.
I will be forever grateful to you. In 1998 I was a young wife and mother of a 4-year-old son. Life was a struggle to survive and breathe, I wasn't living, only existing. I was struggling through every day at this point because of deterioration due to my CF.
My husband and I were having to face the possibility that If I didn't receive a life-saving double lung transplant, I would die in my late 20s and our son would have very few memories of me. My husband would be left a young widower with a young son.
After losing a loved one, you made the very tough and selfless decision to donate your family member’s organs. I received your gift... my new lungs.
Your decision transformed my life. You didn't just save me, you saved my family. My son was five when I received your gift. I just wanted to be able to do the simple things in life with him, nothing spectacular. One of my dreams was to be able to walk around the block with him while he was riding on his go-kart. My husband and I just wanted to be able to walk with our son in the park together. You made all of this possible.
We have had a lifetime of memories since then. We've watched our son grow up together, become a man, graduate from university and go on to have his career and have his own home and family.
We became grandparents last year, something we never dreamt was possible together. I had my 50th birthday during COVID-19 isolation and I am still looking forward to sharing more birthdays with my family. Our grandson will have his first birthday soon, another huge event for us as a family to share together.
23 years on from my transplant I've had an extra lifetime of experiences, memories, love and laughter because of your kindness. I will never forget what you did for myself and my family and the amazing gift you gave us. The gift of life.
You are our heroes. Thank you. I'm forever in your debt.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 10,800 people in the UK. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.
Since 1964, we've supported people with cystic fibrosis to live longer, healthier lives -and we won’t stop until everyone can live without limits imposed by CF.
Your donations help us fund vital research. Donate today to help everyone with CF live a life unlimited.