August: Kelly Gunnels-Valines. Featured in 2023 Calendar.
My brother, Reco Gunnels Sr., was an amazing advocate for others, his children, his family, his friends, and the community. My beloved brother was taken from us August 24th, 2017. He was murdered as he sat on his motorcycle. What the people who were there saw was vague, and they were scared, but one lady […]
May: Aimee Cordrey. Featured in 2023 Calendar.
Nick was 15 years old when he passed unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm in 2020. Nick decided to be an organ donor when he obtained a state ID card for a class trip. Nick made a well-researched decision, as many others have done. So, when the unthinkable happened, we, as his family, honored his decision. […]
January: Erica Randall, Family of Gail Randall, Cornea Donor. Featured in 2023 Calendar.
Gail was simply amazing. She had the kindest soul and would do anything for anyone. She lived her life to serve others, so when given the opportunity to honor her wishes as a registered donor, we were thankful that her cancer didn’t stop her from being a hero. Losing Gail was extremely hard, but knowing […]
November: Lynette Wade, Mother of Landon Steele, Tissue and Cornea Donor (1989-2013). Featured in 2015 Calendar.
Grief is as individual as we are! Eight years later; I’m still learning how to live on while enduring the loss of Landon. The first year of losing Landon was the most difficult. I coined the phrase “Year of the Absolute Firsts!” When your loved one has passed, every aspect of your life changes. The […]
January: Dee Dee Mitten, Organ Donor (1967-1991). Featured in 2005 Calendar.
January 25, 1991. The last day I would experience as a “normal” life, a life without grief. A day I would consistently go back to in my “what if” mind, even 30 years later, bartering with God and begging him to change the trajectory of events that would occur the following day. If you’ve ever […]
Carrie Schnieders, Wife of Cletus Schnieders III – Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor
“Always remembering Clete, and keeping him in our daily thoughts, and living out his legacy.” – Carrie Schnieders I met with LifeCenter on June 20, 2018 when my husband, Clete, suffered a traumatic brain injury after a sudden choking accident at home. The two days after my husband’s accident were the most devastating days I […]
Susan Brandon, Sister of Tom Groeschen – Tissue and Eye Donor
“That describes my brother, Tom, perfectly. His final act of humility was being a tissue donor, and in that way, he’s continuing to share his gifts with others so that they can shine.” – Susan Brandon My brother Tom was a man with a quiet demeanor, great journalistic talent, and a wicked sense of humor. […]
Audrey Holtzman, Sister of Henry Dennis – Organ and Tissue Donor
“I just feel like expressing joy can be so contagious to others, no matter what you’re going through or what other people are going through. If you have that expression of joy, not just in your face, but in your whole being, it helps uplift others around you.” – Audrey Holtzman My brother Henry was […]
Granger Smith’s Son River Saves Two Lives Through Organ Donation
There are few things in life more difficult than the death of a child. No matter how famous or how much money you have, terrible things can still happen. In June of 2019, the unthinkable happened to country singer Granger Smith and his wife Amber. While outside playing with his children, Granger ran to his […]
The Military and Organ Donation
The men and women of our military and our armed forces are one of our nation’s biggest treasures. Not only do these amazing people willingly risk life and limb to preserve our freedoms on a daily basis, but they do so asking for nothing in return. That selfless mentality pervades every aspect of military members’ […]
