ConnectLife Blog

When Ed Draves learned that he could save a life by being a living organ donor, he was glad to give. “It’s one of the better decisions that I’ve ever made,” Ed said of his choice to donate a kidney. A lifelong Western New York resident, Ed and his wife have a son and daughter. He has worked as a wine salesman for 26 years. Ed is a member of Western Star Masonic Lodge No. 1185 in Lackawanna. He joined "to work with other people for the common good. There's a lot of charity wor

Shawn J. McMullen was a courageous and caring man who served his country as a soldier in the U.S. Army and worked to comfort and help others in his daily life. After his passing at the age of 26, Shawn's generosity continued through organ donation.

Bradley James Fagan became an organ donor upon his passing in October 2015. His mother Emily shared this remembrance. Bradley James Fagan only lived two months before he became an organ donor. Bradley was born on August 26, 2015. He was so handsome, so smart, so lovey and just such a great baby. He was so special, he brought family and friends that has not been connected for years all back together. He came home on August 28 and everything was great. He was good for most nigh

Louis M. DiGiacomo of Kenmore became an organ donor upon his passing in November 2014. Nicole Wilson, to whom he was engaged, shared this remembrance. On August 24, 2011, three days after proposing to me, Lou DiGiacomo, was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease at the age of 29. It is a disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Although it robbed him of walking, talking and eventually breathing, his organs and tissue remained healthy. The topic of o

Cassandra “Cassie” Blair of Alden became an organ donor upon her passing in February 2013. Her mother Jackie Jurek shared this remembrance. Cassandra Mary Blair was born on March 31, 1992. She was the only child to her father and mother but had two half-sisters and a half-brother on mom’s side that she lived with and a half-sister and step-sister on dad’s side. Cassie was witty, intelligent, independent, compassionate, loving, beautiful, kind, and big hearted. Cassandra was a

Ryan Sojda of West Seneca became an organ and tissue donor upon his passing in March 2014. His parents Toni Lynn and Kevin shared this remembrance. Ryan Eric, “Our Hero, Our Warrior” Back in 1987 as we prepared for the birth of our first child, Kevin and I were looking at baby names. Kevin was absolutely certain we were having a boy and wanted to make sure that he had a strong name. As we looked at names and their meanings he found Ryan, which means “The King”, “A Warrior.” F

Jesse Smith of Buffalo was a loving husband, father and grandfather. “He enjoyed providing for the family,” said his wife Dixie. “He was an avid fisherman with the Eastside Angler's Fishing Club,” she remembered.

When he passed away on February 20, 2009, Raymond Ott was 78 years old. He became an eye and tissue donor.

Thomas Smolinski became an organ donor upon his passing in June 2015. His wife Kimberly shared this remembrance: “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.” My husband Tom had 39 years – just a couple weeks short of his 40th birthday. He left this world on June 21st 2015, Father’s Day, after a tragic car accident. My heart, the hearts of our twin daughters, family, and friends were full of anguish and incredible loss. We continue

Bryan W. McCown of Franklinville became an organ, eye and tissue donor upon his passing on October 31, 2011 at the age of 19.   His family shared this remembrance:   Bryan was born to a large family of eight. Even though he was second youngest in the family he became the biggest and tallest in the family and was known as our “gentle giant.” Bryan never used his size or strength to bully or intimidate, instead he tried to become their “big brother.” He had a heart of gold and

Timothy M. DeBoy of Cheektowaga became an eye and tissue donor upon his passing on April 12, 2011.

Robert Schultz became an organ, eye and tissue donor upon his passing on January 23, 2010. His wife Colleen shared this remembrance: Tangerine Lifesavers On our first date we saw Saturday Night Fever. Rob leaned over and asked me if I would like a tangerine Lifesaver. I said yes and the rest was our future. Rob was graduating college soon and he often joked that he would have never made it if I hadn’t typed all of his papers. Rob graduated with a B.A. in Social Work. He also

Scott E. Lewis became an organ, eye and tissue donor upon his passing on July 31, 2009 at the age of 50. Mr. Lewis worked as a welder with the Operating Engineers Local 545 in Syracuse and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a father and grandfather. His daughter Tabatha shared this remembrance: My dad was a huge NASCAR fan. He wore many hats as to what he did for work. He was a welder and a heavy machinery mechanic. He was a father to four amazing kids. I want everyone to

Zachary E. Dueger, a graduate of the Park School and a senior at the University of Buffalo, became an eye and tissue donor upon his passing on November 19, 2008. His parents, Pat and Bill, shared this remembrance: Heroism is defined as someone who demonstrates courage and is admired for his brave deeds and qualities. That truly fits our son Zachary. He was a healthy 22-year-old going to UB and working part time parking cars at Sabres games and other events. He loved his grand

Jillian Olivia Williams of Hamburg became an organ, eye and tissue donor upon her passing on March 9, 2011. Her mother, Deanne Mills, shared this remembrance: When my daughter, Shelby, nominated her sister and best friend, Jillian, to be a Unyts Hero, I was touched. When I learned that she was chosen for the month of October, her birth month, and also the month in which her sister had already been planning a Celebration of Life in her honor, something inside me stirred and I

Tammy Marie Goffin shared this remembrance: October 15, 1996. This is the day my daughter Nicolle Mae died and with the ceasing of her breath became a hero. As a new nursing graduate I was familiar with the organ donation process, although I never thought it would apply to me! Things like this aren’t supposed to happen, children don’t die before their parents… or so I thought. Nicolle was a lively, sweet, compassionate 5-year-old who loved big trees, her baby brother Josh, Ba

Krista Lesinski (now Jankowski) was 22 years old and living in New York City when she became extremely sick. She had experienced some strange symptoms including headaches and fatigue in the months before she fell seriously ill, but she didn’t realize that they were all connected. “I didn’t take the symptoms very seriously. I thought I was just hypoglycemic,” Krista explained. She waited a few days but didn’t recover, and so she checked herself into Nassau University Medical C

Jacqueline Dotzler became an organ, eye and tissue donor upon her passing on April 24, 2014. Her sister, Justine Fedchak, shared this remembrance: Jacqui was a beautiful person inside and out. She was loved by so many people and would do anything for anyone. Jacqui was a waitress in Batavia and was very into art and tattoos. She loved cats and treated hers as her babies. I want people to know what a kind heart my sister had. She was such a loving and caring person and had suc

His mother, Bonnie Platt, shared this remembrance: Kyle Patrick Presby Platt entered this world on Father's Day, June 17, 1990. He arrived 9 days past his due date, weighing 9 lbs. 9 oz. His mom was one of 9 siblings, as were both maternal grandparents, whose house number happened to be 99. Thus, Kyle chose to wear number 9 on his high school lacrosse jersey. Reflecting on the all-too-brief life of my son, I focus on his strengths and most admirable character traits. COMPASSI

His mother, Laura Brock, shared this remembrance: I have delayed writing this story, because it is so difficult to write about my son who is no longer with me. But I go on everyday remembering all the good times. Joe had a love for life. He enjoyed it to the fullest. Joe enjoyed all the holidays. He worked at Kmart with me for a short time and I remember he volunteered to be the Easter Bunny, he was the tallest bunny ever! He took pride at Christmas in picking out special gif