Celeste Monforton-VA

My first love, Russell Lee Simpson, Jr. (1954-1994) suffered from end-stage renal disease beginning in his 20's. He was blessed to receive a cadaver transplant in the 1970's, and another in 1989. Without the transplants, he was on dialysis 3 times per week, which cut into time that he would otherwise have devoted to work, school or music. He was able to live a near normal life and feel healthy when his transplated kidney was functioning well. I remember so well the joy of learning that a kidney was available for him, with both of us knowing, too, that some family was suffering terribly because of their loss. I was able to love him for 11 wonderful years because of gift of life kidney he received. That's why I'm an organ donor.