ConnectLife Blog

Ali Gerlach was the model of success. As a senior in high school, she was an athlete. She excelled at softball as the left fielder for the Amherst Lightning, was a star volleyball player for the WNY Mizuno Storm, and excelled in bowling as a member of the Williamsville South squad.

Judy Hooper lived a life full of love! She was the type of person that had so much love to share and was always the heart and soul of her family. Her family remembers her for being the most giving and generous throughout her life; and even after as Judy was an eye and tissue donor.

Story as told by her daughter, Elaine My mother was an incredible woman! She raised four wonderful children, while also going back to school in her 30s. She was one of the most hardworking people; she worked tirelessly (20 hours a day 7 days a week!!) for what she believed in. She worked for the city of North Tonawanda's Recreation Department, and she ran all of the year-round programs for developmentally disabled children and adults. She gave them hope. She gave them love. S

Corinne Dulak was a devoted mother, sister, aunt and friend. Corinne was loved by every person she met. She fiercely loved her family and her friends, especially her son, Tom. Corinne was and still is her sister Lialan’s best friend; Lialan says that she talks to Corinne all the time and will continue to do so forever.

When John found out he needed a kidney transplant, Sunnie immediately volunteered to get tested to see if she was a match. Luckily, she was and she gave John a healthy kidney with zero hesitation! The transplant was a success, and John now has the energy to enjoy life and play with his 4-year-old.

Story as told by her aunt, Lori Cybulski Kaydie was the heart of our family. She loved everyone and made sure it was known. Her smile and laugh made everyone around her smile. She loved the trees and flowers and would do amazing crafts with them. Kaydie had a passion for hearts. She took pictures of everything that were shaped like hearts. So of course when we see hearts we think of her! We see them in water spots, clouds, all sorts of things and of course we think of our K

As told by Sarah Piasecki, Cathy’s daughter There isn’t enough time or space to be able to properly tell you about my mom. She was the light, the love, the laughter of our world and always brought the party with her. She was the most loving, caring, funniest human I’ve ever met. She was “Whose Line is it Anyway” meets MacGyver. She loved many things. She loved to sing, spend time with family and friends, word games; but most importantly, she loved to laugh. Although this amaz

Upon her passing, Melissa Mercer became an organ, eye and tissue donor with Unyts. Melissa was an avid animal lover, loved nature and always stepped up to lend a hand to anyone in need. She was loved by anyone who ever met her. She had a unique sense of humor and always made people laugh. Following her donation, Melissa’s husband has become involved with Unyts and spreading the donate life mission. He recently had a memorial blood drive with Unyts in Melissa’s honor, and supp

Kaylin Sheri Quarles was only 4 months old when she passed away from SIDS while at daycare. Her mother Kennetha J. Quarles, MWBE Compliance Analyst at ECMC, was rushed to the hospital by police and a short time later was told that her daughter had died. After Kaylin was pronounced, Kennetha was approached by Unyts about donating her daughter’s eyes. Kennetha said yes and made the decision to donate Kaylin’s eyes in the hopes of making a difference in someone else’s life. Kayl

David was a loving, loyal and generous person who was always looking for ways to give back and help those in need. He was a member of Local 42, an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics, St Luke's Food Pantry, and the City Mission. David loved electronics and taking things apart to figure out how they ran. He was in the Navy right out of high school to further his electrical skills. From there he joined Local 42 and continued his studies by going to s

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