August 2021: After Jacksonville native and former Buffalo Bills player Leonard Wayne Larramore died while waiting for a heart and kidney transplant, his wife Naishanda decided it was time to speak directly to communities of color. “I truly believe my husband would be alive if more people were organ donors,” Naishanda said. “Now his name […]
July 2021: Danny Martin was intentional about the gifts he gave Debbie Shriner the first time they met near her home in Nassau County, Fla. In one hand, he held two dozen roses that symbolized the gratitude he felt toward Debbie and her son, Branden, an organ donor from whom Danny received a kidney and […]
May 23, 2021: Jennifer Banks Wilson is a walking, talking billboard. “It’s one of the best ways I can bring up a conversation about organ donation,” said Wilson, whose 8-year-old daughter, Holly Bunting, died in a car accident. She donated Holly’s organs and saved four lives. Since then Wilson has transformed her body into a vibrant […]
February 24, 2021: A daddy’s girl through and through, Madison Hair loved hanging out with her family. She also cherished the time she spent at home in her bedroom. Like many young people, it was the one place she could call her own; her sanctuary. For seven years, Madison’s bedroom on Mary Louise Drive provided a […]
February 17, 2021: It had been a day like any other day. Cielita Clausell dropped off her son, Jaylen, at basketball practice after work. On the way home, she pulled into a church parking lot and checked her email. She was expecting a message from the organizers of a football camp Jaylen had attended that […]
February 9, 2021: Nancy and Kelly Burke both grew up in Tallahassee. They graduated from Florida State University, got married, found jobs, bought a house, and then became pregnant. Nancy had always hoped for four kids – two boys and two girls. Once pregnant, Nancy developed a terrible cough. She visited a pulmonologist in October […]
January 25, 2021: “Every transplant is a different journey,” Deborah Labud said. “Both of mine have been totally different journeys. I have different issues with my second transplant, but my breathing is awesome.” While in her early 30s, Deborah suddenly began experiencing breathing troubles. After multiple doctors’ visits and misdiagnoses, at 36 years old, it […]
Throughout 2020, LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services has recognized Ambassadors of the Month to bring more attention to those who generously volunteer much of their time to organ donation outreach. In this blog, we showcase our three ambassadors for the fourth quarter and ask each of them questions related to their time volunteering. October Ambassador […]
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The same can be said of a Donate Life flag waving in the wind. This silent visual illustrates a bold yet heartfelt statement about the legacy of an organ donor and the significance of sharing the Gift of Life. Raising the Donate Life flag is just […]
December 2, 2020: Friendships lasting nearly 50 years are incredibly rare and special. In 1972, 17-year-old Deborah Labud’s brother sent her back home from Oklahoma to Florida on a bus, but she missed her connection in Alabama. She caught a ride with a truck driver to her friend’s house in Gainesville, Florida. That’s where she […]
October 16, 2020: Legislation enacted in mid-September gave Donate Life Florida, the non-profit coalition of Florida’s organ, eye and tissue donor programs that runs the state’s donor registry, the green light to produce a Donate Life Florida license plate. First, however, they must presell 3,000 vouchers to Florida motor vehicle owners before the plate will […]
Throughout 2020, LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services has recognized Ambassadors of the Month to bring more attention to those who generously volunteer much of their time to organ donation outreach. In this blog, we showcase our three ambassadors for the third quarter and ask each of them questions related to their time volunteering. July Ambassador […]
September 11, 2020: As a woman of faith, Cristy Sutton had come to appreciate the life-saving miracle of organ transplantation. Four years ago, lying flat on her back in a hospital bed, she came face-to-face with the emotional uncertainty that she may need a liver resection to survive. The pause brought about by Sutton’s stay […]
August 20, 2020: Kimberly Morales was the youngest of four siblings, with 15 years between herself and the oldest. She was sassy, determined and as her mother described, “spoiled by all.” Kimberly had an active childhood. She played soccer for a couple seasons. She enjoyed musical theater and acrobatics. Her true love, though, was dance. […]
By Kim Gilmore Dunn Heart recipient Tyrone Brisby and his wife, Demetris (Dee), strive to meet with his donor family each August – the month of Kyle’s birthday, but also the month he passed away and became an organ donor. “The first time we met my donor family was very emotional,” Tyrone said. “I didn’t […]
August 6, 2020: Brenda Darling and Daryl Mullee worked together as nurses at Gainesville’s Alachua General Hospital. Brenda worked in the recovery room, and Daryl worked in the operating room. Their sons, Brandon and Charles, were in the same first grade class at J.J. Finley Elementary School, and the two quickly became best friends. They […]
August 1, 2020: “Life is back to normal,” Shiara Veltman said. “I get to jump in the pool with no cares. I get to swim in the river with my friends. Taking medications is an easy compromise for having a life again.” Shiara lived a healthy childhood until seventh grade, when she fell ill following […]
July 21, 2020: “A transplant would mean freedom,” said 17-year-old Max Williams. “I could play sports with my friends and not have to sit out after a few minutes. It would mean I could graduate and become an adult. Getting my heart transplant would give me life.” Max has been waiting for a heart transplant […]
LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services recognizes ambassadors of the month to bring attention to those who generously give much of their time to organ donation outreach. In this blog, our second quarter nominees answer questions related to their time volunteering. April Ambassador of the Month: Liz Kasey 1) What caused you to become an ambassador? […]
