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"My Aunt Nancy inspired me to value who I was and as a result, value all others...
Her eyes were always open, ready to experience all that she could...
Her eyes sparkled when she shared stories about others...
Her eyes laughed when she told about family escapades...
Her eyes winked when she played Santa...
Her eyes were sincere when focused on helping anyone with a problem...
Her eyes begged us to have the most fulfilling and enjoyable life we could...
Her eyes are now joyful and her love will always be with us as we appreciate the 'vision' of all she left for us... and you, the recipient.
Nancy DeLung was born and raised in east central Iowa. She worked in the health care profession for many years, helping countless others through her expert nursing skills and kind-hearted compassion. When she died unexpectedly at the age of 66, her sister-in-law consented for cornea donation; as in life, Nancy's final act of kindess and unselfishness would be for the benefit of others.
Nancy's two recipients, also residing in Iowa, did not take their "gift of sight" for granted. In their gratefulness, both wrote sincere letters of their appreciation to their donor's family -- less than two weeks following their successful cornea transplants:
Andrea, age 43, is a wife and mother of two young sons. She wrote, "When someone dies, the rest of us still here are left to guess or interpret from our memories, how they might think or feel. I don't know how my donor would have felt about this bond...opening doors to the sight I've lived so long without. As the recipient of a transplant, I wish to honor the memory of my donor, to look out through this precious gift at things they most treasured seeing. I would like to offer thanks for providing me with a broader, richer path in life...and know that my thoughts are with you."
Sally is 50 years old, with three grown children and a husband of 28 years. "I want to express my sympathy for the loss of your loved one. It is her generosity that has given me the opportunity to live a fulfilled visual life... I have suffered with diminished vision since I was 22 years old... without the kindness, compassion and generosity of my donor, my life would have continued down a painful and challenging path. I'm blessed and amazed. 'Thank you' doesn't cover my appreciation for this gift. I hope I live up to the greatness of my donor and the people around her."
For an easy way to sign up to be a donor, click here.
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