AS I WRITE THIS column on Father’s Day weekend, I am reminded of the bittersweet nature of the holiday. It is the seventh one since my father passed away. I do my best to focus on the “sweet” side of “bittersweet” because a liver transplant meant 20 additional years of life for my father. Twenty more Father’s Days is something for which I will be forever grateful. That got me thinking about other fathers with ties to organ donation and how those gifts impacted their lives and the lives of their families.
Cory Foltz’s son, Stone, embodied compassion, kindness, and love. He was not afraid to stand up for others, and he was determined from a young age to be the best version of himself. A devoted Ohio State football fan, Stone followed the team on and off the field. He enjoyed sharing highlights of game plays but even more so when players did something special for others. Stone was a foursport athlete who planned to live near the water where he could enjoy the beach and bask in the sunshine. Tragically, those dreams were cut short on March 7, 2021, when 20-year-old Stone passed away.
Cory and his wife, Shari, said their son always had a caring heart, so they were not surprised to learn that he was a registered organ donor. Although they never expected that decision to become a reality so soon, they are proud of the immense impact of Stone’s generosity. “In the most profound time of our grief, we felt a sense of comfort because Stone was an organ donor. It was a way to honor his memory, and we know that part of him lives on and contributes to giving others a second chance at life,” Cory said.
Now, as Stone’s father, Cory carries on his son’s life-saving legacy.
Chris May was truly grateful for every breath. Sarcoidosis wreaked havoc on Chris’s lungs. He had seven bouts of pneumonia in a two-year period, his lung function dropped to 36 percent, and he was connected to an oxygen tank every minute of every day. Chris was unable to walk and talk at the same time, and he could not speak an entire sentence without taking breaths between each word.
Everything changed with one phone call. On February 16, 2009, Chris received the double lung transplant that he so desperately needed.
Chris’s transplant allowed him to be an active father in the lives of his four children and play a special role in his daughter’s wedding. “Before Emily and I walked down the aisle, we hugged and she said, ‘You made it, Dad. You made it!’ I had to ask her if she was wearing tear-proof mascara because we were both crying happy tears,” Chris said. “I felt so much relief, joy, and gratefulness that I was able to be there and experience that. It was a dream come true.”
That is a memory Emily holds onto, especially after Chris passed away on May 22, 2022. She is grateful that organ donation meant she was able to have her father around for 12 additional years.
Marina Mendieta’s father, Steven, was a hardworking carpenter who enjoyed collecting classic cars, making a mess in the kitchen while cooking, being outdoors, and spending time with his family. He truly lit up the room, could bring a smile to anyone’s face, and was passionate about helping those in need.
Sadly, on January 22, 2023, 46-yearold Steven passed away. But his light continued to shine through his gift of organ donation. “His donation has meant so much to us. The last gift he could give was to his recipients and their families to continue smiling and laughing as he always was in his life. It has brought us comfort knowing his gift of donation has given new life to others,” Marina said.
Sharing her father’s life-saving legacy through volunteering with Life Connection of Ohio has become a passion for Marina. “Volunteering has brought me a sense of gratitude and peace to deal with the loss of my father. Being able to raise awareness about organ donation has helped me honor my father and his wish to be an organ donor,” Marina said.
Rick Brown does not take the little things for granted. A 20-year battle with diabetes took a toll on Rick’s kidneys and pancreas. He endured dialysis for more than a year and a half, and he was in desperate need of a transplant.
On the afternoon of May 20, 2013, Rick’s phone rang, and his life instantly changed. That day, he received a life-saving kidney/pancreas transplant. Rick immediately noticed a difference in the way he felt. He gained the energy he needed to lose weight, his vision was restored, his diabetic neuropathy disappeared, and he was able to return to work.
Rick’s transplant allowed him to meet his grandchildren and be an active part of their lives. “My life has really flourished. I am very grateful, and I try to live my life in honor of my donor hero, Scott. If he didn’t register to become a donor, then I know I wouldn’t be here today,” Rick said.
Life Connection of Ohio is a non-profit organization that serves families and saves lives through organ donation. To learn more about organ donation or to say “yes” to saving lives, visit lifeconnection.org. Kara Steele is Director of Community Services for Life Connection of Ohio. ✲
