Stories of Hope

Maria Fernanda Filizola
A longtime volunteer, Maria became Latino Outreach Coordinator at DLNW in July 2018. She is passionate about sharing her experience, knowledge and strength with the Latino community – and she has a lot to offer.

Marilyn Tovar
Together, Marilyn and her family faced her kidney disease and dialysis until Marilyn finally received a lifesaving kidney transplant.

Marissa Salgado
“Thank you, Dad!” Marissa Salgado cannot say it enough. When chronic kidney failure changed her life, the 16-year-old endured years of daily dialysis.

Mark Phillips
Mark went to Louisiana seeking to give to those hit by Hurricane Katrina. Despite his tragic death, Mark was still able to give the gifts of sight, health, and mobility.

Mark Tatom
Unexpectedly stricken with Necrotizing Fasciitis -- a flesh-eating bacteria, Mark spent a month in a coma. Today, he is thankful for the skin and tissue grafts that saved his life, and he spends his days giving back.

Mike Hargett
Faced with so many health problems, many people would have given up. But Mike has faced it with courage and determination. Now, with a donated heart, a donated kidney, and enthusiasm, he's moving forward.

Nancy Barbelli
After an airborne bacteria infected her right eye, "simple" tasks became impossible for Nancy. Thanks to a cornea donor, she now has her vision and her life back.

Nathan Cadwallader
Nathan became an organ donor at age 17, donating his liver and both kidneys. He will always be remembered for the lives he saved.

Nathan Westerlund
Today, Nathan is an enthusiastic husband, professional, volunteer, and board member thanks to the generosity of three liver donors and a kidney donor.

Nelson Zepeda
Nelson's illness came suddenly and quickly led to a life of medications, restrictions, and dialysis. But now, because of the generosity of a donor, Nelson is living to encourage those still on the waiting list.