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The gift of tissue donation: How tissue donors give hope, healing & restored life

09/30/2021

Did you know that tissue donation impacts the lives of more than one million people in the United States each year through transplantation? Let’s take a few minutes to talk about this incredible gift of healing!

One tissue donor can help support the healing of more than 75 people by restoring mobility, supporting burn victims, replacing damaged heart valves, and aiding in reconstructive surgery after breast cancer. Bone, cardiovascular, connective and skin tissues improve lives in many ways, offering hope and healing through transplantation.

Her heart beats strong, thanks to a new heart valve...

At just 9 years old, Heather Jauregui underwent her second open-heart surgery, where she received a new heart valve. This donated tissue allowed her to get back to her active life.

“I’m very thankful to the donor who gave me my heart valve and to their family who must have been so sad but still so giving,” says Heather.

Heart valve transplants go to pediatric patients more than 76% of the time. In 2020, Donor Network of Arizona (DNA) recorded the highest number of heart valve donors for a single organization in U.S. history.

Baby Weston has been a lifesaver since birth...

Following the miracle of life, mothers with a scheduled cesarean section can give the gift of healing by donating their placenta, which is often discarded otherwise.

When Kayla Click’s doctor presented her with the option of placenta donation, she knew immediately that she wanted to donate.

“As a social worker, I always look for my ‘why.’ Always trying to find a way to do more and be more for others and for my family,” says Kayla. “DNA was very pleasant to work with and was so kind during an exciting time.”

Since starting this program in 2018, DNA has had more than 270 moms choose to give this healing gift! Learn more at BirthTissue.dnaz.org.

She healed so many through tissue donation...

Regarded by her children as their biggest fan and the center of their family, Peggy Caniglia is truly missed. When she passed away in 2016, her family knew immediately that she would want to help heal others through donation.

“My mother’s gifts did not take away the pain of her passing, but it has given us an outlet to continue her story,” says one of her daughters, Katie Benton. “To keep talking about her. My children know that their Nana was a hero. I am proud to share that my mother’s gifts have helped heal more than 110 people. Tissue donation is truly a priceless gift.”

Though Peggy’s family may never know the specific people across 17 different states who received her gifts, Katie likes to think that there is a grandmother out there who is able to run and play with her grandchildren, thanks to her mother’s gift.

If you would like to register as an organ and tissue donor, visit DonateLifeAZ.org/register.

Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day

What is National Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day? It’s a national initiative designed to promote education, awareness and access to information regarding post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.⁠

There are now many options available for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, including reconstruction with implants using donated skin or tissues from a person’s own body. One tissue donor can help up to 10 people undergoing reconstructive surgery!

Partnerships to Restore Hope

Making tissue donation and transplantation widely available in Arizona is possible thanks to dedicated partnerships with funeral homes, medical examiner’s offices and tissue processors across the state.

We can’t thank these partners enough for all they do to help honor the decisions of Arizona donors to heal others through tissue donation!

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