2005 Donor Story

Tonisha Daniel

Hi, my name is Tonisha Daniel, and I received my healthy new liver in May 2004 and am doing great.

I was 15- years-old then when I was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in January, 2003.

Before I became sick, I enjoyed dancing, playing volleyball, attending Bible study classes and singing in my highschool and church choir. I had to give up contact sports, and dancing and singing in my school choir because cirrhosis sapped my energy.

The cirrhosis also affected my memory. Although I had always been a straight- A student, it was getting really hard for me to maintain my 4.0 GPA. I was also hospitalized twice during the school year, causing me to miss nearly a month's worth of schooling.

The good news is, now that I received my healthy liver, I can do so much more now! I am on the school newspaper , writing articles about organ donation, on the National Honor Society, still singing in the choir, and part of a youth group. I am not restricted to a certain diet, and can eat whatever I want to eat!

I also was chosen by the secretary of state to pose in an ad commercial for organ donation. I really beleive that it is a good cause and it will be very effective! I really had a fun time making it, it was an awsome experience!

My mother still remains positive, and says that, " I believe God will touch the hearts of millions to become donors, and there will no longer be a waiting list filled with children and other loved ones."

Read Tonisha's newspaper article
View Tonisha's Organ & Tissue Donor Commercial