Elias was born on October 16, 2009 and he was called home on Februrary 25, 2011. He was my best friend. Yes, he was only 16 months old but Elias had and will always have my heart. He loved to dance. All you had to say was “go…go…go” and he would start bouncing up and down. No matter what challenges came my way, Elias always made me feel better. He cried with me and laughed…
Christian was born on September 18, 2000, in Amarillo. From the moment he could walk, Christian was a very active child! He loved all sports and being outdoors. Not only did he like sports, he was good at them and very athletic. He was also a very caring child; he was tender and understood the importance of being kind and lending a helping hand. He loved to be close to those he loved, and throughout…
In 2010, Jason Travis suffered a life changing stroke. Already an insulin dependent diabetic, Jason faced many obstacles. Jason remained hospitalized for 6 1/2 months; during which time his wife, Danielle (D’Neal), reached the decision that she must retire from her position of 29 years as a Junior High Choir Director in the Klein School District. Jason had worked for Grant Prideco / VAM U.S.A. for 35 years and was their Quality, Health, Safety and…
Gabriel Alexander Comedy is a 21 month old toddler who passed away on October 1, 2011, due to lack of oxygen to the brain. He was a child with so much life and spirit in him that we question every day since that day on why god decided to take him home. Well it took a while to find out that answer but we did. It was to raise awareness on organ donation and the…
In October of 2002, Terri and Juan Contreras lost their 15- year-old daughter, Celeste. She was a vibrant and talented Spanish folklorico dancer with a lot of talent and promise. From the very moment, Celeste was riding in the car with her mother and saw a billboard that talked about organ and tissue donation, she made the selfless decision and told her mother what her final wishes would be if ever. Her mother, Terri smiled…
My son was full of life & plans for his future! He was EMT, just about to graduate from the paramedic program at UT Health in SA Texas! He had dreams of becoming an emergency room physician! He was my only natural child, the youngest of 3 & our miracle baby! There was not a person that didn’t love & adore him, you could not be in a bad mood around him, ever! You also…
When Steven was 16 we had the donor discussion. I had worked in the field of transplant as a director of a tissue bank for over 10 year’s. When I asked Steven what his wishes were, he said to me, “mom you don’t even have to ask, you know there is only one answer”. Steven, was the kindest, loving young man. He would do anything for someone in need. On September 22nd 2007, Steven tragically…
Annette Hernandez arrived at Parkland Memorial Hospital with a heavy heart, fearing the worst after her only son had been injured in a horrific car accident. Hernandez found her son, Matthew “Cody” Corker, 22, in the intensive care unit, hooked up to tubes and wires. He didn’t respond to her voice or touch. In the anguish of the next 20 hours, Cody would be pronounced brain-dead, and his family would have to grapple with a…
Today marks a remarkable milestone—Brenda E. Cortez’s 20th Donorversary of giving the gift of life. Though she is not my physical kidney donor, organ donation brought us together, and my life has been forever changed because of it. Brenda is a true champion of organ donation awareness. She is the creator of H.O.W.L. the Owl which is an acronym for, “Help Others With Love.” Through her Howl the Owl®️ book series, she has educated and…
Kenny Cross is my hero. Kenny suddenly passed away and his family had to painfully make that decision to donate his organs. Kenny saved four lives that day and I was honored to receive his heart. Kenny was a loving and caring person. I had the chance to meet his family and we have become one. His little daughter is so special. I made sandcastles on the beach with her and even danced with her…