Donation Stories - Legacy Donor Services Foundation

Maggie Myers, Recipient

You don’t have to tell Maggie Myers to find joy in life. She was a fifteen year old honor roll student when Osteosarcoma (cancer) threatened her life, or at least the loss of her leg. Thankfully, the Legacy Donor Services Foundation was able to provide the graft she needed to fight back. Thanks to her donor, Maggie is a happy, healthy teenager with visions of college and a long life ahead.

Will Fleites, Family

With more than 25 years of firefighting experience, Will Fleites has seen miracles happen almost every day. Both on and off the job he is more than just a firefighter, he is also an advocate for donation. When Will’s own father passed away, his family’s decision to give the gift of life to others was the obvious decision. From one life springs another, thanks to families like the Fleites.

Denise Simpson, Recipient

If you passed Denise Simpson on the street, you might not recognize her incredible strength and tenacity. Yet, Denise is the embodiment of survivor pride. A double organ transplant recipient, she has made a full recovery and now organizes and participates in walk-a-thons and fundraising events for several causes. She is married to the love of her life and has given birth to two beautiful girls post transplant. Without the loving gift of her donors, the world would have one less hero to look up to.

Liv Hoffman father in front of picture of Liv Hoffman

Liv Hoffman, Donor

Liv Hoffman and her memory is forever sealed in the hearts of two families. Liv was a tissue donor, and her life meant more than can be measured in time spent on earth. Though Liv was lost too soon, it is because of the Hoffman’s (her father pictured right) and others like them, that tissue donation is possible.

Oscar DeToffoli, Recipient

You might not know it when you pass him on the street, but when you are in the presence of Oscar DeToffoli, you are in the presence of a frisbee golf champion. Oscar was always an athlete, until a knee injury forced him out of the game. Thanks to dedicated health care professionals, The Legacy Donor Services Foundation, and the generosity of donor families, Oscar had his mobility restored and is once again playing for the home team.

Gretel, Recipient

As a nurse diagnosed with bone cancer, Gretel knew the weight of her diagnosis and prognosis. Thanks to Dr. H Thomas Temple and a graft from the Legacy Donor Services Foundation, both Gretel’s life and leg were saved. Gretel later gave birth to her daughter Lulu – her donor’s gift felt even in the next generation.

Eric Cuenca, Recipient

Eric Cuenca was a top basketball prospect, until the day a pain in his leg turned out to be cancer. Luckily, with the help of Dr. H. Thomas Temple and the Legacy Donor Services Foundation tissue transplant, Eric was able to make a full recovery. Although his hooping days are over, Eric is still a baller, thanks to his donor.

The Engerbretsens, Dual Recipients

When Trine Engerbretsen was a young girl, she received the liver transplant she needed to survive. Years later, as fate would have it she met her husband – also the recipient of a liver transplant. The two ultimately gave birth to a healthy daughter of their own. Two liver transplants, one unbreakable love, all through the generous donation of another.

Tuly Gonzalez, Donor

Tuly was as beautiful on the inside as she was on outside. As a very talented musician, from an early age, she volunteered her spare time giving music lessons to underprivileged children through out the community.

Tuly always looked for ways to help those in need. While still in high school, she organized a talent show to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. As a result of her efforts, over $3,000 was raised and donated to the Red Cross for hurricane relief.

Thanks to the decisions made by her family she was able to bless the world as she had in life, giving the ultimate gift of herself, and giving the gift of life to another.

LaQuita Oliver, Family

Through a tragic chain of events, LaQuita Oliver’s brother was killed. Because of the senseless nature of his death, the family wanted to find a way to make something positive from his passing. They felt it was important to give back, to help others in need, and they found found their closure through tissue donation. Thanks to their decision for tissue donation, their brother lives on through the gift of life.

Johnny Stubbs, Recipient

When Johnny Stubbs sings, the world can feel his heart. A man of conviction, Johnny loves to raise his voice and sing “I am Testimony.” He feels blessed to have received his new heart, and is so thankful for the doctors and tissue bank that allowed him to be a testimony.

The Mirich’s, Family

Lieutenant A. Mirich is in the life saving business. As an important part of the Palm Beach Fire and Rescue team, he has been a knight in shining armor for many in need. However, when his wife was in need of a transplant, he was suddenly powerless. Thanks to the unwavering support of friends and family, as well as the donation supplied by the Legacy Donor Services Foundation, a life saving match was found for his wife.

Lana Grace, Donor

Lana Grace was the most beautiful baby girl, her eyes sparkled and her little personality was evident from the day she was born. She was an instant best friend to her big sister Lucy and would giggle in her high chair when daddy came home from work. When Lana passed at only 10 months old, her family dedicated a garden in her memory where butterflies, cardinals and caterpillars now live. They decided on giving the gift of life and turned their tragedy into something beautiful through a selfless act of love. Lana was pure joy, light and love. Thanks to the gift of donation, her light can now shine through the lives of those she’s helped.