Dear editor:

I received a liver transplant 10 years ago on May 7, 2000, from an amazing young man. This young man, Steven Toth, from Niles, died on May 6, 2000, 11 days before his 22nd birthday. I will never find a way to make up for my donor family’s loss and repay them for their selfless act of making my second chance at life possible. For me, promoting organ donation or “paying it forward” is a way of ensuring that this chain of giving to others continues so other lives can be extended.

At the time of my illness, I was the single mother of two daughters and I had just met a wonderful guy who had become my best friend. Thanks to Steven, my transplant has allowed me to be there for my two daughters who are now ages 22 and 19. In 2002, I married my best friend, Dave, and my life was further enhanced with two wonderful stepsons.

As I write this letter, there are 107,068 people nationwide on the organ transplant waiting list. Because of the 18 people that die every day waiting for life-saving organ transplant, I encourage you to become a donor.

Please consider organ and tissue donation – tell your family how you feel, and sign your state’s donor registry. I know about a caring young man from Michigan who knew how he felt, and he told his family … I think about Steven and his family every day.

Kim Burdakin
Muscatine, Iowa