Donate Life Month Stories of Hope 2013
Paul Mark Pantle
9/18/1971 - 5/22/2007
My dad wasn’t a hero like you see in movies or comics, but that doesn’t make him any less of a hero in my eyes. It is an honor to say that my dad donated his life to save others in his fleeting hours. That’s a pretty courageous and soulful act; to give life to someone you don’t even know. When someone asks what happened, I will forever include that he was an organ donor.
My father was the most compassionate and happy person I’ve ever known, and nobody can replace the tenderness I felt when I was with him. Our family misses him every day, but we all know that a little piece of him is still here, and never far from the hearts. I love you Faja. Hope you’re looking down on us.
With much love, your little girl Merissa Todd (age 16)
Brian Coefield
Eye & Tissue Donor
This picture is so “Brian”. It was taken during one of his first T-Ball practices (with my Dad, his Papa in the background!)
Brian loved baseball, he would play any chance he got…showing real talent early on, he was so excited about the game. Sadly, Brian was only able to be on the team for one season. He died in a tragic accident on February 18, 1993 at the age of 7.
I am grateful for the seven years we had together, such a wonderful and adorable son. I am also grateful for Brian’s generosity; he was a cornea and tissue donor. He will be forever missed and I will always remember him with a smile.
Leslie Coefield, Brian's mother, will be speaking at the 15th Annual Threads of Life Quilt Presentation on Sunday, April 21 at the Portland Adventist Hospital Atrium from 1 - 2pm. RSVP here!
Steven Wright
Tissue Donor
Michele Wright, wife of tissue donor Steven Wright, submitted a quilt square for the 2013 Threads of Life quilt. For information on upcoming presentations in Oregon, click here.
My husband Steven Wright passed away last May. It was a shock. When I got a call from the tissue and organ donations representative, I at first said no, but I did tell them that they could call back later. I remembered in the hospital when a physical therapist asked my husband if he had children. He answered that he had none of his own. The therapist then replied, “Too bad you couldn’t have passed those beautiful eyes on.” So when I got a call from the tissue and organ representative later, I said yes. In the end, his tissue, cartilage, heart valves, skin and veins were donated.
While this was a very difficult time, I feel better knowing that my husband may have helped someone through his gifts.
Ena Johansson & Paul Drake
Kidney Recipient & Living Donor
When Ena needed a transplant, she chose to keep focused on the goal, maintain a sense of humor, and take care of her health so she would be ready when that day came. This path down the “Yellow Brick Road” wasn’t easy as she started dialysis and faced 3-5 years on the waiting list.
Ena’s dream was realized when her friend's husband Paul Drake came forward as a kidney donor and was a 50% genetic match! Yet she still needed to have enough money to cover out of pocket expenses for the surgery and the first year post-transplant.
Remarkably, family and friends rallied around her and raised $27,000 in 3 weeks! Through quilt raffles and garage sales, donations small and large were made by those who heard her story and wanted to make a difference in Ena’s life.
Ena's good friend and wife to her kidney donor Diane Tolzman said, "Ena has always been there for me over the years and I was honored to be a part of making her dream come true of receiving a kidney transplant from my husband. Ena is now making the most of her new life and is an inspiration to all on how to face adversity and maintain hope. Ena is my hero!"
Diane Tolzman will be the featured speaker at Donate Life Northwest's 15th annual Threads of Life Quilt presentation in Bend, OR on April 7th. This event will be held at the American Red Cross from 4pm to 6pm and features squares created by those connected to and affected by donation and transplantation. RSVP here!