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What follows, in their own words, are the true stories of loving and courageous donor families in the Greater New York metropolitan area. We salute these families and all of our fellow New Yorkers who have made the most generous of decisions—to "Donate Life."
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| Susan Quinn's Daughter Erin Gave a Baby the Gift of Life |
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On November 13, 1999, our daughter Erin Quinn celebrated her twenty-first birthday. Two weeks later, as she crossed the street, Erin was struck by a car and killed. We were informed that because Erin's neck had been broken, it was impossible to keep her heart beating. Once the heart stops, the blood stops flowing to the organs and they are no longer viable. We were upset that Erin wasn't a candidate for organ donation because it was important to us to fulfill any wish we knew Erin had. Helping others was very much a part of who Erin was. If we could not donate Erin's organs, was there something else we could do?
The New York Organ Donor Network contacted us, and we learned about the importance of eye and tissue donation. Through the tragedy that our family suffered, numerous people have been helped. The corneas from Erin's beautiful eyes have enabled two women on Long Island to see. Because of the bone donation, 16 people have been helped all over the country, some who needed surgery on their spines as well as a 23-year-old who needed knee reconstruction. We were informed about an 80-year-old woman in California whose life was extended because Erin's aortic valve was used to repair her heart.
Just recently we learned that Erin's pulmonary valve was transplanted into a two-day-old baby boy in South Carolina, giving him a chance to start a life.
Erin was a warm, caring, compassionate young adult, who had a sparkling personality and a wonderful smile. Erin was a positive and loving force in our lives.
We take comfort in the fact that Erin has made a difference with the special gift she has given to so many, and that Erin's wish to help others has been fulfilled.
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