Stories of Inspiration
Austin Lee
Austin was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease just a couple months after he was born, but received his first kidney transplant at four years old thanks to his mother; his living kidney donor. He was well taken care of over the years thanks to the local Children's National Hospital along with his lifesaving kidney through the next 14 years until he suddenly experienced renal rejection at 17 years old.
​
Austin was devastated when his kidney went into rejection because he knew it would cause a major lifestyle change, especially as a senior who was preparing to graduate high school. For the second time in my life he faced another life-threatening illness and needed dialysis to help keep him alive while he waited for a second renal transplant.
​
But after over two years of waiting, he finally received a call that his lifesaving gift was available through the kidney paired exchange program from a living donor. He now takes extra good care of his transplant and has made it his mission to give back to the community by volunteering hundreds of hours for Children's National and Infinite Legacy.
Paisley Billigmeier
Paisley was born in China in November 2012 with only half a heart. Doctors there didn’t think she would survive, however, her parents Joanna and Josh Billigmeier adopted her and brought her back home to Montgomery County.
In September 2015, doctors at Children’s National Hospital in D.C. added Paisley to the national transplant waiting list. By November that year, Paisley had a new heart, coming to her from a family who tragically lost their little girl. Paisley calls that little girl her “heart hero.” The Billigmeiers don’t know the donor family’s identity, though they’re incredibly grateful for their selfless and lifesaving gift and Paisley has written letters of appreciation to them, sent via the Washington Regional Transplant Community.
Eight years later, Paisley is a healthy child who likes watching shark documentaries. And unicorns. She also enjoys playing outside with her brothers and sisters and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.
Compared to the baby the Billigmeiers adopted before surgery, “She is a completely different person,” Joanna said. “She went from not walking—just laying on the couch and being a very sad, sad little person—to playing and laughing and running. We never heard her laugh until after she got a heart. She became the happiest most vivacious little girl I’ve ever seen in my life. All our friends say they’d never seen anyone live life like they see Paisley live life.”
John Bayton
He was working in the foreign policy field and felt successful. However, at a work event in 2003, it all came crashing down when he collapsed and was rushed to Washington Hospital Center. John was informed that his kidneys were failing and was immediately placed on dialysis to perform the critical function of cleaning the blood in his body.
​
With no freedom or control over his condition, he isolated himself and suffered a more reserved quality of life. Luckily, his nephrologist suggested he be placed on the national waiting list for a kidney transplant. He languished while waiting for seven years before finally receiving the call that every transplant candidate waits for – they had an organ for him.
​
After an emotional day, John woke up after the surgery with a new, healthy kidney. He gained the quality of his life back, the freedom to live and not just survive. That kidney lasted him 6 years before he needed and received a second transplant, thanks to which he is thriving to this day.
Apu Patel
Apurva “Apu” Patel is a world traveler who has visited more than 50 countries. During his career, he has worked in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the U.S.
When he unexpectedly was diagnosed with heart failure and liver cancer, he wasn’t sure he’d ever travel again. Luckily, in 2019, Apu received a triple organ transplant (liver, kidney and heart) from the same organ donor hero. He believes he was the 20th triple transplant recipient in the U.S. at the time.
Thanks to his donor, Apu is thriving and has the opportunity to visit new places, experience different cultures and meet new people with his family.
​
“This gift has transformed my life. I get to continue to be a father to my teenage boys and watch them grow up. I want to recognize that my organ donor was part of a family that was so self-sacrificing. A part of [their] family member lives on and contributes to ongoing impact in this world.”
Olivia Jones
In 2005, at one year old, Olivia received the heart of a two-year-old girl named Ashleah, whose life was tragically taken in a drunk driving accident that also injured her mom and sister. Ashleagh's dad made the courageous decision to have her become an organ donor and Olivia received her heart.
​
Today, Olivia is a student at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Attending Spelman has been a lifelong dream of hers because her mother and sister are both Alumnae. Her gifted heart has given her the opportunity to grow and thrive, and she will always be grateful for the blessing of a full life.
"I am proud to be an organ donor and hope through telling my story that someday I can save a life just as Ashleah saved mine."
Leo Castillo
Leo lived a healthy and fulfilling life with his family up until the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The infection hit their home in May of 2020, and unlike his children's more minor symptoms, Leo found his were serious as he struggled to breathe. He was rushed to the hospital and told that his case was so severe that the only way he would survive would be by receiving a double lung transplant.
​
His family knew his chances were slim, but after only six days on the waiting list, they received the call they had been praying for. Leo became only the second person in the US to receive a double lung transplant as a result of COVID-19.
​
It was a bittersweet moment knowing someone had lost their life in order to give Leo his, but after intense recovery he was ready to begin his new lease on life all thanks to the generosity of his donor.
"I am grateful to make more memories with my family and see my daughters achieve their dreams."
Katura Britt
“Because of my liver donor, I’m alive, happy and healthy.”
Just two weeks after she was born, Katura Britt’s parents were concerned when she appeared to be sick. Doctors determined that she was born with biliary atresia which caused her liver to fail. Her best chance to survive was to receive a liver transplant.
Since a liver can be donated from a living donor, her parents jumped right into action and went through test to see if either of them was a medical match. Her mom was and stepped up to donate an organ to her daughter. At 13 months old, Katura received a new liver, which saved her life.
Thanks to this gift of life, Katura had a normal, playful childhood and is thriving today as a young professional. She is in awe of her mom for giving her the gift of life – twice. Thanks to her transplant, Katura has traveled the world and works to educate and inspire her community to register as organ donors.
