Stories of Heroes
Organ, tissue and cornea donation and transplantation bring people together through shared emotions and life-changing experiences. That’s why CORE’s network of family and friends continues to grow each year.
The ongoing support of recipients and remembrance of donors brings us all together to laugh and cry as we celebrate and mourn – and ask others to make A Pledge for Life.
Cybele Boehm :
Kidney Recipient
Faith Kilkeary :
Heart recipient
Patti Fountain :
Donor mother
Max and Sue Sciullo :
Donor parents
John Standard :
Donor husband
Chris Yanakos :
Living liver donor
Joy Starzl :
Wife of pioneering transplant surgeon Dr. Thomas Starzl
Ines Brady :
Donor wife
Danielle McKain and her son, Jameson :
Mother of a heart recipient
Anna Oldham :
Donor mother
Cybele Boehm :
Kidney Recipient
Faith Kilkeary :
Heart recipient
Patti Fountain :
Donor mother
Max and Sue Sciullo :
Donor parents
John Standard :
Donor husband
Chris Yanakos :
Living liver donor
Joy Starzl :
Wife of pioneering transplant surgeon Dr. Thomas Starzl
Ines Brady :
Donor wife
Danielle McKain and her son, Jameson :
Mother of a heart recipient
Anna Oldham :
Donor mother
If you aren’t already a registered organ donor, we hope that these videos inspire you to make the Pledge for Life!
ELI BUSSOTTI
Known for his larger-than-life personality and even bigger heart, Eli Bussotti was a typical 17-year-old student at Highlands High School
finishing up his senior year. Described as kind and compassionate, it’s no surprise that Eli made the selfless decision to register as an organ donor shortly before he tragically lost his life in a car accident. Eli’s heroic decision helped save eight lives across the United States, including Chad Ravotti, who happened to live just five miles away. While Eli’s contagious smile will never be matched and the devastation felt by his loss will never subside, his loved ones are comforted by his life-saving decision and know that the love Eli was surrounded with during his time on earth is now felt by the recipients of his gifts.
QUINN SANTINI
Diagnosed with a serious heart disorder called dilated cardiomyopathy, baby Quinn Santini was placed on the waiting list for a life-saving heart transplant at just 2 weeks old. She became more ill with each week of her young life. Quinn’s heart rate skyrocketed, she experienced lack of movement in her arms and legs, and she required endless amounts of emergency medicine. After many late nights, tears and prayers, the Santini’s lives were changed forever when a heart became available due to the selfless choice that a donor family made in their darkest hour. After baby Quinn’s transplant surgery, her life improved quickly. Because of the generosity of the donor family, Quinn, who is now 2 years old, continues to grow each day and has mastered many developmental milestones, including taking her first steps.
Read More >
CHANCE DULL
Looking at him today, you’d never know that Chance was once so sick, doctors didn’t know if he’d survive.
At only 7 years old, he was diagnosed with liver cancer and endured months of treatment that left him bedridden. That’s when doctors at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC changed course and listed him for transplant. Within only a few months, Chance received just that — a “chance” at a normal, healthy life, through liver transplant.
“Being sick definitely changed my outlook on life because I was given a second chance and I’m grateful that I’m still here,” Chance says.
Cancer-free, young Chance knew to be thankful for his renewed good health. And since then, he’s done everything possible to maintain that well-being, through regular workouts at the gym his parents own and by making healthy eating a priority.
That casual conversation in college helped Lynda through the most difficult time in her life when Steve suddenly passed away.
“All I can say is take my husband Steve’s advice. Talk about it with your family. Then make A Pledge for Life."
NANCY JIVIDEN
Nancy Jividen’s son, Shane, loved to ride his motorcycle. He was an avid outdoorsman and served as a volunteer firefighter in his West Virginia community for more than 20 years. She says he would help anyone in need. That’s why when Shane passed away tragically in an ATV crash, not only was she not surprised that her son was a registered organ donor, but she was also inspired to follow his example.
“They brought me an eight-by-ten piece of paper showing he was an organ donor,” she says. “And I said, ‘Well Shane, I’m going to be an organ donor, too.’”
Months after Shane’s passing, Nancy received a letter from the man who regained his sight through Shane’s donated corneas. By chance, and as a lesson that a donor’s generosity could heal someone who’s not a stranger, the recipient turned out to be one of Nancy’s coworkers at Walmart: John Shuman. Today, the pair share a close bond that extends far beyond their workplace.
Organ, tissue and cornea donation is something you should talk about. With your family. With your friends.
“You can make a difference, but you need to register. Make A Pledge for Life. Be a hero.”
ELI BUSSOTTI
Known for his larger-than-life personality and even bigger heart, Eli Bussotti was a typical 17-year-old student at Highlands High School
finishing up his senior year. Described as kind and compassionate, it’s no surprise that Eli made the selfless decision to register as an organ donor shortly before he tragically lost his life in a car accident. Eli’s heroic decision helped save eight lives across the United States, including Chad Ravotti, who happened to live just five miles away. While Eli’s contagious smile will never be matched and the devastation felt by his loss will never subside, his loved ones are comforted by his life-saving decision and know that the love Eli was surrounded with during his time on earth is now felt by the recipients of his gifts.
QUINN SANTINI
Diagnosed with a serious heart disorder called dilated cardiomyopathy, baby Quinn Santini was placed on the waiting list for a life-saving heart transplant at just 2 weeks old. She became more ill with each week of her young life. Quinn’s heart rate skyrocketed, she experienced lack of movement in her arms and legs, and she required endless amounts of emergency medicine. After many late nights, tears and prayers, the Santini’s lives were changed forever when a heart became available due to the selfless choice that a donor family made in their darkest hour. After baby Quinn’s transplant surgery, her life improved quickly. Because of the generosity of the donor family, Quinn, who is now 2 years old, continues to grow each day and has mastered many developmental milestones, including taking her first steps.
Read More >CHANCE DULL
Looking at him today, you’d never know that Chance was once so sick, doctors didn’t know if he’d survive.
At only 7 years old, he was diagnosed with liver cancer and endured months of treatment that left him bedridden. That’s when doctors at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC changed course and listed him for transplant. Within only a few months, Chance received just that — a “chance” at a normal, healthy life, through liver transplant.
“Being sick definitely changed my outlook on life because I was given a second chance and I’m grateful that I’m still here,” Chance says.
Cancer-free, young Chance knew to be thankful for his renewed good health. And since then, he’s done everything possible to maintain that well-being, through regular workouts at the gym his parents own and by making healthy eating a priority.
That casual conversation in college helped Lynda through the most difficult time in her life when Steve suddenly passed away.
“All I can say is take my husband Steve’s advice. Talk about it with your family. Then make A Pledge for Life."
NANCY JIVIDEN
Nancy Jividen’s son, Shane, loved to ride his motorcycle. He was an avid outdoorsman and served as a volunteer firefighter in his West Virginia community for more than 20 years. She says he would help anyone in need. That’s why when Shane passed away tragically in an ATV crash, not only was she not surprised that her son was a registered organ donor, but she was also inspired to follow his example.
“They brought me an eight-by-ten piece of paper showing he was an organ donor,” she says. “And I said, ‘Well Shane, I’m going to be an organ donor, too.’”
Months after Shane’s passing, Nancy received a letter from the man who regained his sight through Shane’s donated corneas. By chance, and as a lesson that a donor’s generosity could heal someone who’s not a stranger, the recipient turned out to be one of Nancy’s coworkers at Walmart: John Shuman. Today, the pair share a close bond that extends far beyond their workplace.
Organ, tissue and cornea donation is something you should talk about. With your family. With your friends.
“You can make a difference, but you need to register. Make A Pledge for Life. Be a hero.”