As classes finally come to an end, most college graduates celebrate their newfound freedom as they enter the real world and kick off their careers - the beginning of a brand new chapter. But for Karen, her post-grad days looked slightly different than most young adults as she was confined to a hospital bed for months, wondering if today would be her last.   

From an early age Karen was an active child, always running from place to place. Unfortunately, Karen was stopped in her tracks when she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. What this means is that Karen wasn’t getting enough blood pumped into her heart, which can cause poor growth, tiredness, and shortness of breath. Imagine, a young girl gasping for air just trying to walk up a flight of stairs - not the carefree childhood most people have in mind.  

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Throughout her life, Karen’s diagnosis was a constant dark cloud over her head. In Karen’s eyes, her life, career and future had been taken hostage. But despite the hand she was dealt, she persevered as best as she could. Karen worked hard at school, attended Fordham University in New York and was able to complete her degree. But just two days before she was set to throw her cap in the air at graduation, Karen’s doctors gave the soon-to-be graduate the news she dreaded her whole life. She needed a new heart, or she wouldn’t live much longer.  

The cloud above her head suddenly got darker.  

Soon after hearing the news, Karen was checked into the hospital where she was told she would remain until her doctors could find a heart for her. Weak and unable to keep food down, Karen was left feeling like a shell of a person. After several excruciating months of living in the hospital, Karen got the call she had been waiting for. A match had been found when Thomas, a 16-year-old Long Island resident and organ donor hero, donated his heart. 

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 Thanks to the courageous act of Thomas, an organ donor hero, Karen was able to live on - and eventually give life of her own. His selfless gift of life is having a generational impact.  

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“Thomas saved my life,” Karen says. “Because of him and his family, I am here today. Because of them I was able to get married and have a baby. There are no words to express how thankful I am to Thomas for giving me the gift of life.” 

Because of Thomas’s gift, Karen has made it her purpose to be an active advocate for organ donation and continues to share her story with the media. Her hope is to help educate the public and dispel any misconceptions about organ donation. Her story has also been spotlighted by LiveOnNY’s “Donor Hero campaign, a digital series that gives donor heroes, like Thomas, the acknowledgement and gratitude they deserve. Following her transplant, Karen has also been able to form a special relationship with Thomas’ family. Thomas’ family was there when Karen married her husband, Cameron, and didn’t miss meeting Karen’s baby Colette soon after she was born. Alongside Thomas’ family, Karen has also taken part in running the Tunnel to Towers Run in Thomas’ memory.

With one heart, these two families have formed a beautiful bond.    

The gift of life is a remarkable act of kindness that leaves a lasting legacy, creates a generational impact, and has given thousands the opportunity to celebrate more birthdays, spend more time with loved ones, and do amazing things with their second chance at life -  just like Karen and her baby.

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Millions have already signed up to give the gift of life - in New York state there are more than 6.9m people on the organ and tissue donor registry -  but there is still a need for organ donations. Today, more than 100,000 are waiting across the nation. By sharing her story, Karen hopes to dispel any misconceptions about organ and tissue donation in order to be an inspiration to those thinking about saying ‘yes’ to donation.  

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If it weren’t for the selflessness of Thomas and his family, Karen’s dark cloud would still be there. Instead, she, along with her husband and new baby, are basking in the light thanks to organ donor heroes.   

To learn more about how you can become an organ donor hero, please visit LiveOnNY.org. 

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