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Luke Bowton - Pontiac
After being on dialysis for six-and-a-half years, Luke Bowton has received two kidney transplants. The 28-year-old received his first transplant when he was 9-years-old and the second transplant when he was 17. He is now a prison guard and happily married.
Erin Fitzgerald - Morton
Erin Fitzgerald has received the gift of life from her dad twice! Erin's dad Patrick gave her a kidney when she was 18 months old. Erin is now a 5th grader and active in sports and in the U.S. Transplant Games where she has participated in the 15-meter dash, long jump, softball throw and swimming, winning four gold medals.
Alecia McClung - Naperville
Alecia is a married mother of three boys, ages 16, 14 and 7. She was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was 7 and her kidneys began to fail following the birth of her youngest child. She received both a kidney and pancreas transplant three years ago, but her body rejected the pancreas. She has subsequently received another pancreas. One year after her first transplant, Alecia met Penny, the mother of the young man from whom Alecia received her kidney and pancreas. Penny's 15-year-old son was shot and killed in a drive by shooting on his 15th birthday on his way to basketball practice. Alecia and Penny now attend events together speaking on the importance of donation.
Angelique Marseille - Homewood
After receiving a liver in 1992, Angelique Marseille went back to school and received her bachelor's and master's degrees. Today she is a therapist, married to a wonderful husband, McKinley, has two sons, and is grateful everyday for the generous gift of life.
Micaela Prunty - Chicago
At three months of age, Micaela was diagnosed with biliary atresia, which is a rare liver disease. Five months later her mother was informed that Micaela needed a liver transplant and the little girl was put on the waiting list to receive a liver. Fortunately, her mother was a match and was able to donate a portion of her liver to her daughter. Micaela received the transplant successfully. She is now a six-year-old kindergartner taking dance lessons and living a full life.
Jackson Simmons - Marissa
Jackson Simmons feels he can take on the world after receiving his kidney on January 12, 2007, at the age of 15. A co-worker of Jackson's mom donated one of his kidneys when he discovered that he was a match and could help. This selfless gift saved Jackson's life and he will be forever grateful to Dale Hofstetter this act of ultimate kindness.
Don Smith - DuQuoin
Don Smith received a kidney transplant in May 1994. Since the transplant, he has been involved in the organ /tissue donor program giving talks to groups and organizations in Illinois. Don is happy to have found a way to pass on that gift that somebody gave to him - the gift of life!
Rory Smith - Chicago
Fifty-year-old Rory Smith and his family gave the ultimate gift when they made the decision to donate his sister's organs after she died of a cerebral aneurysm. Through her gift, many lives were saved or enhanced. Rory is glad that the tragedy of his sister's passing has been turned into something positive.
Brian Troy - Rockford
Brian Troy is 42-years-old and received the 621st heart transplant at Loyola Medical University on April 30, 2006. Coincidentally, Brian's birthday is on June 21st and he believes now that this is his lucky number. Brian, a union electrician by trade, and his wife Denise are the proud parents of two children.
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