Donation Stories - Legacy Donor Services Foundation

Donor Family Survey

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Where did you first hear about tissue donation?
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I, hereby give my permission to Legacy Donor Services Foundation to use my voice and image and the image and story of my deceased

for Legacy’s internal and public education and awareness campaigns and events. In the hopes that as many people as possible will benefit from Legacy’s education and awareness programs, my authorization for publication of the above stated items is not limited to any one program but extends to any project or program in the future if it is used for the purposes of raising awareness and internal or public education about the benefits of tissue donation and the mission of Legacy Donor Services Foundation.

I understand that I am granting Legacy a perpetual right and license (without further notice, approval, or compensation) to record me, my image, and my voice as well as the image and story of my deceased and any related written or oral statements related to us. The recording may be by videotape, audiotape, film, photograph, or other medium. I am granting Legacy the right and license to use, copy, reproduce, and distribute the recording and related materials, in whole or in part, for the purposes of raising awareness and internal or public education about the benefits of tissue donation and the mission of Legacy Donor Services Foundation. Legacy will have the right to edit and create derivative works of the recording and/or related materials, including compilations with other recordings. Legacy may use the recording and materials throughout the world in any and all media and may allow its affiliates to use the recording and materials for the purposes of raising awareness and internal or public education about the benefits of tissue donation as well.

I understand that Legacy will own, exclusively and in perpetuity, all rights in and to the appearance and related recordings and works and I waive irrevocably the exercise of any rights I may claim in and to the recordings.

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Attach a Word document sharing with us the story of your loved one and any images you would like to share. Format may be jpg or png and must be less than 3mbs in size.

Tuly Gonzalez, Donor

Tuly was as beautiful on the inside as she was on outside. As a very talented musician, from an early age, she volunteered her spare time giving music lessons to underprivileged children through out the community.

Tuly always looked for ways to help those in need. While still in high school, she organized a talent show to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. As a result of her efforts, over $3,000 was raised and donated to the Red Cross for hurricane relief.

Thanks to the decisions made by her family she was able to bless the world as she had in life, giving the ultimate gift of herself, and giving the gift of life to another.

Birth Tissue

Our birth tissue partners provide donated placental tissue and umbilical cords for transplants and research.

Eric Cuenca, Recipient

Eric Cuenca was a top basketball prospect, until the day a pain in his leg turned out to be cancer. Luckily, with the help of Dr. H. Thomas Temple and the Legacy Donor Services Foundation tissue transplant, Eric was able to make a full recovery. Although his hooping days are over, Eric is still a baller, thanks to his donor.

LaQuita Oliver, Family

Through a tragic chain of events, LaQuita Oliver’s brother was killed. Because of the senseless nature of his death, the family wanted to find a way to make something positive from his passing. They felt it was important to give back, to help others in need, and they found found their closure through tissue donation. Thanks to their decision for tissue donation, their brother lives on through the gift of life.

Community Education

The Legacy Donor Services Foundation supports its community by providing educational recourses to donor families and those interested in donation. If you are a donation recipient, or are interested in registering to be a donor, we would love to hear from you. Access our contact page to share your story with us and learn about our upcoming events.

Donor Partners

Donations are always cooperative efforts. We are proud to work alongside hospitals, eye banks and other recovery agencies in the region to create a culture of donation within the communities we serve. Together we can cultivate a unified donation message that inspires community outreach efforts and educational programs throughout Florida. Our partnerships with outside donation agencies also facilitate the donor referral process and allow donor screenings to be more comprehensive.

Recovery

Recoveries are administered aseptically for transplant and research. We standardize our practices according to AATB and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and document our recovery with the medical examiner to ensure chain of custody.

Medical Examiner Relations

Our Donor Service team is in constant communication with medical examiners, investigator and coroners in the region to assure that the requirements specific to each donation are being met. We assist medical examiners by obtaining restrictions before the recovery of tissue to maintain the integrity of evidence and determine the cause and manner of death.

Our trained Recovery Team technicians maintain the fidelity of the physical findings, related to the cause of death. They memorialize these findings through careful descriptions and photographic evidence so that the cause of death may be determined.

Hospital Development

Our Hospital Development department works collaboratively with regional hospitals by educating their staff on the process of referring a potential donor, ensuring that hospitals comply with federal and state regulations. When a donor referral results in a donation, the Hospital Development department is the first to provide the hospitals with immediate feedback.

Donor Families & Bereavement

A loved one’s loss is an untethering experience that leaves many people feeling anxious or numb. Still, there are important decisions that need to be made regarding your loved one – decisions that may impact the lives of people in need. Legacy Donor Services provides resources that guide the grieving process.

Donor Services

Legacy Donor Services Foundation partners with local hospitals, medical examiners, eye banks and other recovery agencies serving the state of Florida to receive donation referrals. Referral calls are made to a central donation line where an initial interview takes place to determine the eligibility of a potential donor. When a referral is made, a donor family advocate will follow up with the referring facility to determine if donation options can be offered to the next of kin.

We approach each referral family with respect, providing them with information to help make an informed decision. We intend to support the family’s decision, regardless of whether or not they choose to consent to donation. Families are provided with answers to all their questions and enough time to think over their options. If the referral was not a registered donor, the next of kin has permission to sign or record a consent document. Consent documents must include the specific organs and tissues the family wishes to donate, a statement regarding the intended use for the donation (transplantation, education or research) and any information regarding infection and disease.

Donors are initially selected based on information available at the time of death. This can include medical records, discussions with medical staff or interviewing the next of kin using a standardized screening form, though an interview may be performed at a later time if the family is unable to do so at the time of donation.

Trained donor family advocates are available around the clock, 365 days a year, to answer any questions you may have about the donation process. Call their toll-free number at (1-800-255-GIVE).

Rose Parade 2020

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Tuly’s Floragraph

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Lana Grace, Donor

Lana Grace was the most beautiful baby girl, her eyes sparkled and her little personality was evident from the day she was born. She was an instant best friend to her big sister Lucy and would giggle in her high chair when daddy came home from work. When Lana passed at only 10 months old, her family dedicated a garden in her memory where butterflies, cardinals and caterpillars now live. They decided on giving the gift of life and turned their tragedy into something beautiful through a selfless act of love. Lana was pure joy, light and love. Thanks to the gift of donation, her light can now shine through the lives of those she’s helped.

Game of Life

Blue & Green Day

Run 4 Life 5k

Denise Simpson, Recipient

If you passed Denise Simpson on the street, you might not recognize her incredible strength and tenacity. Yet, Denise is the embodiment of survivor pride. A double organ transplant recipient, she has made a full recovery and now organizes and participates in walk-a-thons and fundraising events for several causes. She is married to the love of her life and has given birth to two beautiful girls post transplant. Without the loving gift of her donors, the world would have one less hero to look up to.

Gretel, Recipient

As a nurse diagnosed with bone cancer, Gretel knew the weight of her diagnosis and prognosis. Thanks to Dr. H Thomas Temple and a graft from the Legacy Donor Services Foundation, both Gretel’s life and leg were saved. Gretel later gave birth to her daughter Lulu – her donor’s gift felt even in the next generation.

Johnny Stubbs, Recipient

When Johnny Stubbs sings, the world can feel his heart. A man of conviction, Johnny loves to raise his voice and sing “I am Testimony.” He feels blessed to have received his new heart, and is so thankful for the doctors and tissue bank that allowed him to be a testimony.

Liv Hoffman, Donor

Liv Hoffman and her memory is forever sealed in the hearts of two families. Liv was a tissue donor, and her life meant more than can be measured in time spent on earth. Though Liv was lost too soon, it is because of the Hoffman’s (her father pictured right) and others like them, that tissue donation is possible.

Oscar DeToffoli, Recipient

You might not know it when you pass him on the street, but when you are in the presence of Oscar DeToffoli, you are in the presence of a frisbee golf champion. Oscar was always an athlete, until a knee injury forced him out of the game. Thanks to dedicated health care professionals, The Legacy Donor Services Foundation, and the generosity of donor families, Oscar had his mobility restored and is once again playing for the home team.

The Mirich’s, Family

Lieutenant A. Mirich is in the life saving business. As an important part of the Palm Beach Fire and Rescue team, he has been a knight in shining armor for many in need. However, when his wife was in need of a transplant, he was suddenly powerless. Thanks to the unwavering support of friends and family, as well as the donation supplied by the Legacy Donor Services Foundation, a life saving match was found for his wife.

Maggie Myers, Recipient

You don’t have to tell Maggie Myers to find joy in life. She was a fifteen year old honor roll student when Osteosarcoma (cancer) threatened her life, or at least the loss of her leg. Thankfully, the Legacy Donor Services Foundation was able to provide the graft she needed to fight back. Thanks to her donor, Maggie is a happy, healthy teenager with visions of college and a long life ahead.

The Engerbretsens, Dual Recipients

When Trine Engerbretsen was a young girl, she received the liver transplant she needed to survive. Years later, as fate would have it she met her husband – also the recipient of a liver transplant. The two ultimately gave birth to a healthy daughter of their own. Two liver transplants, one unbreakable love, all through the generous donation of another.

Will Fleites, Family

With more than 25 years of firefighting experience, Will Fleites has seen miracles happen almost every day. Both on and off the job he is more than just a firefighter, he is also an advocate for donation. When Will’s own father passed away, his family’s decision to give the gift of life to others was the obvious decision. From one life springs another, thanks to families like the Fleites.