A powerful event at Carle Hospital and Gift of Hope brought together transplant recipients and donor families to share their personal stories. Among them was Harley Brooks, who celebrated more than a decade since his heart transplant. Reflecting on his experience, Brooks shared how the organ donation not only saved his life but transformed it, allowing him to continue his work in serving patients at Carle Hospital. He emphasized the profound impact of the transplant, stating that he would not be doing the meaningful work he does today without it.
Brooks recalled a time when he felt he was “looking death straight in the face,” underscoring the gravity of his health struggles before the life-saving heart transplant. His story, alongside others, highlighted the critical importance of organ donation. The event was a reminder of how life-changing these transplants can be, both for recipients and their families, while encouraging others to join the fight to increase awareness and donations.
At the gathering, transplant recipients like Brooks advocated for people to become organ donors, stressing that their decision can save lives and offer hope to those waiting for a second chance. As of now, over 100,000 people in the U.S. are on transplant waiting lists, a stark reminder of the urgent need for more donors.
