The Journey Continues

Bill Boscow and Carter Freeman first met on their college hockey team, but they never could’ve imagined what the next four decades of friendship would have in store.  When Carter discovered he was in need of a third life-saving kidney transplant, his teammate Bill stepped up and answered the call.

Moira Miller was a healthy, active 20-something when she learned her liver was failing and she would need a transplant.  Several decades later, she found herself in need of a combination liver and kidney transplant. Through the years, she’s found community with the organ transplant community and is living her life to the fullest in honor of her donor. 

Connect with Moira on social media

Instagram: @jimoira

Facebook: @Moira Lydon Miller

LinkedIn: Moira Miller

Biologist Susan May felt a little back pain that she suspected might be a kidney stone. She never expected to learn a large tumor had been slowly growing inside her for the past decade.  

Rob Russell’s no stranger to hospital visits. Since his liver transplant as a baby, he’s experienced a kidney transplant, two open heart surgeries, and a stroke. But thanks to the family who chose to donate their child’s liver three decades ago, he’s accomplished many of his dreams – including attending his dream school, working in NASCAR, fatherhood -- and he’s not planning to stop dreaming any time soon.  

Bettie Lewis is a busy mom and attorney who suddenly found herself caring for her big sister Monica when she crashed into dialysis.  She explores the challenges and the calling of being a family caregiver.

Learn more about Monica’s story here and here.

Debby Ramsey was diagnosed with kidney disease as a child and recently celebrated her 40th kidney transplant anniversary! Through the years, her diagnosis hasn’t stopped her from pursuing her dreams – including marriage, motherhood, coaching, singing, advocating for organ donation, and competing in the annual Transplant Games with Team Illinois.

For more information about the Transplant Games, visit goteamillinois.org

A teeny tiny scratch during a middle school softball game led to Angelina Precilio needing a cornea transplant in order to save her eyesight. Now as an adult, she and her family are active volunteers and advocates for Eversight, raising awareness for eye, organ, and tissue donation.

Learn more about Eversight at eversightvision.org

Lisa Dodson has devoted her career to encouraging people to say yes to organ donation. Through a partnership with the Illinois High School Association, she’s empowering 16 and 17 year olds to make their own decisions about organ donation through the Drive for Life Act.  In her personal life, Lisa is a proud donor wife.

Learn more about the Drive for Life and Say Yes campaign with the Illinois High School Association here and here.

Learn more about Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Network here.

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network President and CEO Dr. Harry Wilkins is a trauma surgeon who became passionate about organ donation after hearing a mother’s painful story of loss.  He shares what Gift of Hope is doing to maximize the gift from deceased donors and their families while working to end the wait times for those in need of a life-saving transplant.

Visit giftohope.org for more information.

Marathon runner Haley Sarff-DeLong has more experience with kidneys than most. Her father was on dialysis, she’s a pediatric transplant coordinator, and this year she became a living kidney donor! She leverages her personal experience to give her patients the best care possible.