ConnectLife Blog

Story told by her mother, Stacey Jewart Courtney was 13 years old when she was hit by a drunk driver. When Unyts wanted to meet with us very soon after Courtney was pronounced brain dead, I had no idea what to do. I was too beyond myself to be able to begin to think straight. I asked her uncle what we should do and he said "you know Courtney would tell you to donate. She was all about helping others." Courtney was the second oldest of 5 children. She was an honor student, a g

As told by her sister, Denise Dolce My big sister Lori is 3-1/2 years older than me. She is married with children and lives in Norman, Oklahoma. She is the most giving, loving, caring person that I know. Lori insisted in donating her kidney to our Mom, even though our Mom was worried for her to do that. Lori went through 9 months of testing before they would approve her for the surgery. The minute they put Lori's kidney in our Mom it started working great! The kidney worked f

Richard Radwan is often described as “one in a million.” Not many had a personality such as his. He was a father to seven children, and a Papa to three grandkids and four dogs. His favorite thing to do was decorate for the holidays, and turn his home into a home like no other on the street. He loved hands-on activities such as building model cars with his sons and working outside in the yard during the summer building gardens for his girls to enjoy while blasting the radio. H

Born on July 2, 2009 Passed away on July 7, 2014 just 5 days after turning 5 years old Beatriz V. Lasalle Cintron As told by her mom, Iesha Cintron Beatriz was a fighter in her short life. When she was born she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder, and doctors estimated she would only live for 72 hours. She was constantly going to doctors’ appointments and in the hospital, but she was a loved little girl by everyone she crossed by. Beatriz loved music, pai

As told by his mother, Naiem Bello Cairo Aljuwani Brown was born on April 22nd, 2014. His homecoming was September 8th, 2016. Cairo was born with a rare degenerative neuromuscular disorder called Myotubular Myopathy which primarily affects boys. This disease targets movement and muscle function all throughout the body with extreme weakness, making it difficult to move, swallow, speak and even breathe without the use of respiratory equipment. Even though my son had only a 2.5

As told by Brittany Bearss, Paul’s oldest daughter My father, Paul, was a very hard-working family man. He worked many jobs to provide for his wife, mother, and 3 daughters. His favorite past time was going to the beach and swimming, playing badminton, or frisbee. He loved all children and was a type of community father, where all of my sisters' friends referred to him as a second father who always looked out for them. Above all, he loved spending time with his family, whethe

As told by his mom Kathy Mike was a good man with a big heart for others, and he would help anyone anytime that he could. One of Mike's favorite pastimes was to ride his motorcycle and make new friends. When he met a fellow rider, he or she became a brother or sister, and a friend for life. Mike loved everyone he rode with. He also had a furry companion, his beloved dog Gordo, who was his sidekick for many years. Mike’s journey into donation began when he was just a young tee

Gloria DelValle-Rivera of Buffalo became a cornea donor upon her passing in October 2016. She is remembered as a beautiful soul taken too soon. “She was a wife, a best friend, a mother, a sister and an excellent grandmother,” recalled Gloria’s daughter Audelis. “She loved to sew and make beautiful things, she loved frogs and had a smile to brighten up the room.” Gloria’s legacy has continued beyond her death. “Her life will never be in vain, no matter if the days breeze by s

Donna Lee Gold of Buffalo became an organ donor upon her passing on June 21, 2011. She is remembered as a devoted mother and a giving person. The daughter of Donald Gold and Geraldine Wilder, Donna was born and raised in Western New York. She attended Black Rock Academy and later graduated from Riverside High School. She went to school to be a beautician. Donna enjoyed shopping, drinking Diet Pepsi and collecting M&M memorabilia. She loved to sing, especially country music, b

Kristen Nicole Hintz was extraordinary. A senior at Ellicottville Central Schools, she was at the top of her class and a leader among her peers. Kristen was a multi-sport athlete, recognized for her accomplishments and strong spirit. When her life was cut short by an automobile accident in October 2000, the Hintz family knew that Kristen would want to give the Gift of Life to others. Her legacy as an organ donor is in keeping with the caring, generous nature she showed in her

William L. Ellis of North Tonawanda became an eye donor upon his passing on June 26, 2017. Known to friends as Bill, he was married to his wife Sharon for nearly 30 years. Bill’s daughter Amanda Borellis mentioned that he loved music and spending time in nature. “His love of the outdoors likely started when he was a Boy Scout as a child,” she said. “He enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing, hiking ­– his favorite place was Yosemite National Park.” His musical tastes were ecl

Colton Lasker of Hamburg became an organ donor upon his passing on June 23, 2016. He was 23. His mother, Rebecca Barnell, shared this remembrance. Colton, my boy, it’s so hard to explain how amazing he was. He to me was bright from inside his soul. He was so loving and tender even though he was strong and courageous. He loved literature, all kinds, but was drawn to poetry most of all. It connected him to who he was inside so he knew he wasn’t alone in his wise and amazing way

This story was submitted by the family of John Tomizzi, Jr. Our father, John Tomizzi, Jr., was a dreamer who spent most of his life in the pursuit of success. Whether it was in business, in his relationship with family and friends, or in his relationship with God, our father always wanted to be successful. He wanted to leave a legacy in life - something for his wife, children and grandchildren to look back on and be proud of. Even though he was not a perfect man - like all

Peter Betz of Rome, NY became an eye and tissue donor upon his passing in September 2016. “Peter was a loving man, he gave all to his friends and family,” recalled his wife Irene. “He loved his motorcycle and helping me with our huge garden and vegetable stand. He always helped people.” Known to many friends as “Dickie,” he was a US Air Force veteran and a member of the American Legion. “At the wake, everyone said how he helped them when their loved ones passed,” said Irene.

We knew that Justin would want to be an organ donor. During his life, he was always trying to help others and now in his death he was giving the gift that would save lives. We know that his big caring heart is beating in another man, his lungs, liver and kidneys were able to go to some very special people. There are two people that are seeing the world through his eyes. These people are in our prayers every day.

Cecelia M. Jasinski became a tissue donor upon her passing on December 15, 2012. Cecelia was a loving mother of four and grandmother to seven grandchildren. She also had many great grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She and her late husband Henry had made their home in Sloan. “She was amazing,” said her daughter Karen, remembering her mother as someone who cared about people and worked hard. Cecelia was active at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church in Sloan and was in

Justin Sweeney became an organ, eye and tissue donor after his passing on March 8, 2016. His mother Kelly shared this remembrance: The greatest gifts anyone can receive are the gifts of life and love. On August 8, 2008 I was given both of these when my son, Justin Marcus Sweeney, was born. When I held him in my arms for the first time, I looked straight into his eyes and fell in love with him. His blue eyes sang a song of their own, without any words. It was as if you could h

Joseph P. Nicosia of Corfu became an eye and tissue donor upon his passing on December 23, 2015. His family shared this remembrance. Joe loved spending time with his family. He loved when the kids and their friends filled the house – they played games into the evening hours. He was proud of his children and what they had accomplished. He knew all three of them had a bright future ahead of them. Joe was a strong and healthy man. He was born February 25, 1960 to Emmanuel and K

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.