Transplant Family

Hi my name is Cindy,

I was born with a liver disease known as Biliary Atresia, that ultimately lead me to my transplant in May of 2003. I grew up in the children's hospitals of Pittsburgh, Dayton and Cincinnati where I overcame a multitude of surgeries, procedures, hospital stays, picc lines, blood draws, IVs and other diagnoses. It was spring of my 8th grade year when I was listed on the national donor list (UNOS) to be a candidate for a liver transplant. It took all of three months from the time I was evaluated and listed to when that life changing call took place. In the late evening on May 8, my family received the phone call from Cincinnati Children's that they had found a suitable match and we were to head to the hospital. At 10 am on May 9, I began my lifelong journey as a transplant recipient.

As a kid with a chronic illness I grew up with a perspective different than most of my peers. While still engaging in sports, participating in clubs and trying to be a kid I understood that life is fleeting and that we must cherish every moment we are given.

Though I consider myself to be one of the "lucky ones" that doesn't go without the hardships or bumps in the road transplant recipients experience with each passing anniversary. When I turned 22, I was met with a setback of becoming permanently blind in my right eye due to a virus. I had to re-learn how to drive, adjust to new surroundings, and grieve the person I was before this new chapter.

This past May of 2023 I got to celebrate my 20th year anniversary by becoming a mom of two haha. There wasn't an elaborate party or even cake lol but there was so much life. I credit my donor every day for the simplest joys that I get to partake in for these extra "20 years". I consider myself to beyond blessed to not only have the support of family and friends that have stuck by me for years but mostly to have been given the chance to go to college, earn my masters degree in education, travel, own a home, buy my first car, marry my best friend and create the two loves of my life (my 3 year old daughter and 9 month old son)!

There are still tough days to come as a transplant recipient since you are never truly guaranteed your next anniversary which is why I have made the decision to compete once again in the Transplant Games of America with Team Ohio!

The Transplant Games of America are held every two years to celebrate transplant recipients as well as, donors and donor families. It is a time to connect, empathize, celebrate, honor and show just how strong we are by competing in a variety of athletic events. In 2016, I participated in my first ever games competing in singles/doubles tennis, 5K running and co-ed basketball. I medaled in tennis and the 5k! This summer the games are being held in Birmingham, Alabama. I plan to compete in the same three events again hoping to bring home some more hardware ;) and a lot of core memories with my family!

I appreciate any donation to go toward sponsoring me going to the games this July! In addition to covering some of the expenses for the games, I am setting a hefty monetary goal in hopes of my bigger goal to giveback to a transplant family in need that is currently waiting! Transplant related costs can reach up to $800,000 and should be the last hurdle a family should be facing in such a challenging time. I have always wanted to pay it forward for all those that showed up for me and my family during similar circumstances!

Number of men, women, and children on the national transplant waiting list.