Organ Donation

Emily loved to help others. From the time she could communicate, she was helping other young children to learn how to live with diabetes. She dreamed of growing up and being a doctor to help save others lives. She was able to do just that, save others lives.

Emily was able to donate three of her organs; both of her kidneys and her liver. We were blessed to be able to meet all of the organ recipients at a thank you gathering in New York City.

Harry received one of Emily’s kidneys. He and his girlfriend Joann joined our party. He has a new job and his health and stamina are improving daily. We exchange email regularly. Marcia received Emily's other kidney. She is so nice, and it was a pleasure to meet with her after much correspondence. Nicole is the recipient of Emi's liver. Nicole was our surprise guest, as we sent her invitation through the Organ Donor network and didn't even know who she was. She came to the party with her grandmother, brother and cousin. What a wonderful surprise! She is 19, in school and doing well. Meeting these three special people made me realize how God's plan was perfect. Emily would have hand-picked all three.

In a letter wrote to T.R.I.O., one of the recipients dedicated the following letter to the Caro and Benson Families.

“I am one of the three recipients to receive an organ from Emily, a fourteen year old donor. I will always be grateful as my quality of life has greatly improved since the transplant. Although I could not know Emily, I had the good fortune to meet her mother, stepfather and correspond with her stepmother, father. They are lovely, warm individuals who loved Emily more than words can say. I can understand why she was so giving to others. Her family told me Emily wanted to be a doctor when she grew up. If saving lives is a doctor’s goal, Emily was a doctor to three individuals. I don’t think parents ever get over a child’s death but I do hope her family will find some peace and happiness in Emily’s selflessness to others.”

Recently, Marcia sent us a statement about how she was feeling.

“When I was on dialysis, I worked full-time and was tired a lot of the time due to the kidney disease. I frequently collapsed on Saturday. I would find myself so drained of energy, I would need to lie down and wouldn’t be able to get-up for an hour or longer. If there had been a fire in my building, I think I would have died as I didn’t have the energy to get out of the bed. I’m now free to trot around the city on Saturday after a full week of working.”

Please consider organ donation. It truly saves a life. For more information, please visit www.shareyourlife.org.