I am well because of UMass Memorial and the amazing doctors, nurses and surgeons who dedicate their life to helping people. They gave me a second life on March 24, 2010, the day I received the amazing gift of a kidney. Three things made my gift possible:

The care and education I received doing peritoneal dialysis at home prior to transplant was the first. The doctor and nurses in charge of my care followed me, informed me and taught me how to stay healthy and prepare for transplant. Then I received a kidney from a complete stranger. The loss the family was suffering through is unimaginable, yet they chose to donate their loved one's organs to save the lives of others—a gift of a new life.

The amazingly talented surgeons and anesthesiologists who make the new life possible is the second. And third, the care and follow through of the transplant group after my surgery has been imperative to my health. Seeing the doctor, being able to call and talk to the nurses when I need advice, has been tantamount to my recovery and continued wellness. Thank you, UMass Memorial. Now I have two birthdays : The one my parents gave me, and the one you gave me!

—Kristina Smith

Now I have two birthdays …

I am well, thanks to God and to all the dedicated professionals who cared for me. In August 2013 I lost my 20-years transplanted kidney. I began dialysis and things went from bad to worse. In May 2014 I became very sick, which led to me spending eight months out of my home. I am well because of the skills of the UMass Memorial nurses and doctors who were able to keep me alive, even though I suffered a respiratory arrest, a stroke, a heart attack and 10 minutes of CPR, calciphylaxis and infections due to different types of opportunistic micro-organisms. In this period of time I

UMass Memorial is the best place to receive medical care.

lost 60 pounds and many of my faculties. But on January 8, 2015, I was able to go home from the rehabilitation facility. Thank you very much UMass Memorial Medical Center for your dedication, compassion, support and for the 'Extra Time' you game me with my family. UMass Memorial is the best place to receive medical care.

—Nestor Chevalier

I had a liver transplant on December 16,2014. The doctors and nurses did an excellent job. They treated me great and because I felt so comfortable with them, my healing process started great from the beginning.

Thank you to the Staff of UMass Memorial.

—Sylvia Candelaria

I am well because…

On May 2, 1989, Mother’s Day, I received a lifesaving kidney transplant using a kidney that was donated by my mother. Without this transplant I would not have survived. At one point, they had a priest come in and give me last rites. If not for the talented transplant team at UMass Memorial, I would not be here today.

—Everett Blodgett

I am well because…

We have a wonderful and caring son named Todd. On June 28th. 2011, I received a kidney from my angel, Todd. It was the day before my 68th birthday. What a wonderful present he gave. I will never forget his gift of life to me. I gave birth to him 49 years ago and now he gave me life to enjoy to the fullest. He has always been a very caring son. He is a single dad who now is bringing up his 16-year-old daughter. He is a wonderful father and caring son. I am doing well and taking good care of myself.

Live, Laugh, Love, Family

I thank all my family for the great support and I love my four children and three grandchildren. Most important is having faith and believing you can get through anything in your life if you really want it. Live, Laugh and Love.

—Elaine Dufault

UMass Memorial–University Campus has always taken such great care of me and my family. I started being treated for my polycystic kidney disease (PKD) when I was about 33. At 47, I received a living donor kidney transplant, with the exceptional care and support of the transplant team at UMass Memorial. UMass Memorial has cared for all of my seven family members with PKD. I am one of four children in my family to receive a living donor kidney transplant and three of us had our transplants at UMass Memorial. My nephrologist, Dr. Jeffrey Stoff, has cared for six of my family members with PKD, including myself. Patients are treated like people and the experience has been amazing. We are truly fortunate to be at UMass Memorial for our care.

—Paula Bushey

The experience has been amazing…

I am well because I was fortunate to be in the transplant program at UMass Memorial, which has an amazing team of dedicated physicians, surgeons ,nurses and support staff. My father had PKD and began seeing his nephrologist, Dr. Jeffrey Stoff, in the eighties. Four of the five children in my family inherited PKD. With Dr. Stoff's amazing care, it was only natural for each of us to seek him out for care as we each got to the point of needing a nephrologist. My sister even traveled from Northampton to receive her care from Dr. Stoff. He, along with the capable and compassionate team at UMass Memorial, treated six members of our family with PKD and helped myself and three siblings to navigate the road to living donor kidney transplant. These folks feel like a part of my family. My youngest also has Type 1 diabetes and we receive amazing care from the Endocrinology Department. We have felt fully supported and cared for at UMass Memorial. We are grateful for all they do for us and so many others.

—Paula Bushey

We are grateful for all they do for us and so many others…

I had a liver transplant at UMass Memorial in May 2011. It was the first time I had ever had surgery. I have the whole transplant team to thank for still being alive and doing well today. I still have blood work done every three months and see Dr. Graham Barnard every six months. It's been life changing, but I feel pretty normal again. I owe my survival to my unknown donor and the transplant team at UMass Memorial. They are the best!!! Thank you to the entire staff at UMass Memorial.

—Pamela Godfrey

It’s been life changing…

I received a liver transplant on October 25, 2014. I was on the list for 13 months but had been sick with Hepatitis C for many years. After two trials of treatment, the third was a charm: It cleared the hep C out of my body. My reasons for being here today are a combination of the amazing team at UMass Memorial, God's miracle, my donor Maryanne (rest in peace) and my daughter Kaitlin. Kaitlin went through the process to donate part of her liver to me, only to find out she couldn't, and she was devastated. After research she decided to donate a kidney to a father of three whom she did not know. It turns out two of his children were students at the school where she teaches. On October 21, 2014, a successful kidney transplant was completed. Kaitlin’s recipient, Richard, was on the road to recovery.

While visiting Kaitlin in the ICU after her donation surgery, we received a call on October 24, 2014, that a liver was available, also a success. So whether you believe in karma, God, spiritual being, or a heavenly act, I am here, recovering very well. Kaitlin has been given a community service award from our mayor and was voted Female of the Year 2014 by the Sentinel & Enterprise. Richard is enjoying his wife , children and loving family, except his brother is in dire need for a kidney. They suffer from a hereditary disease. Please help Bill, Richard's brother. I have no doubt the doctors, nurses, transplant team and the hospital will give the best medically—they only need a donor. I am doing fantastic, celebrated my 40th wedding anniversary on January 24, and am enjoying my family and praying for Maryanne & her family for this very special “gift of life.”

Never give up! Thank you for listening to my story. —Barry O’Connell

I am well because…