A Letter From an Organ Recipient's Wife

This Thanksgiving, you were very much in our thoughts. We know that your tragedy became our biggest blessing.

My husband of 45 years had become very ill with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. In April, our son attempted to donate part of his liver to his father, but his liver had an imperfection that made it impossible to use. The week of my husband's transplant our daughter was being tested to donate part of her liver but my husband was too ill to wait until her tests were finished. And then were told that a young man had lost his life, and that his family, despite their own sadness, offered to help others - which saved my husband's life.

We now have time together to do all of the little everyday things that we sometimes take for granted until they're nearly taken away. You have given us this gift and we would like to hear from you, to thank you, and to know more about the person who saved my husband, if you feel comfortable writing to us. Whether you choose to contact us or not, please accept the gratitude of two very lucky people.