Greg Satterlee

In July of 2000, Greg Satterlee was 35 years old and in seemingly perfect health when one day he sat down to eat a meal and realized he wasn’t able to swallow. Over the next week, he became very ill. On August 10, Greg was sent to New England Medical Center in Boston where he was diagnosed with complete liver failure, although the cause was unclear. Three days later he was placed on the UNOS waiting list for a liver transplant. The call came a mere 5 days later. “I was very lucky to get a donated liver so quickly,” Greg recalls. “However, I was ranked very highly on the list because I was extremely ill. My doctor told me at the time I went on the list that if I didn’t receive a liver within two weeks, I would have died.” His second chance at life came from Darren, an 18 year-old man from Bermuda who suffered brain death due to a motorcycle accident. Darren’s mother decided to donate his organs; giving Greg and four other people the gift of life. In November of that year, he was able to meet his mother’s donor, and thank her for helping save his life. Today, four years later, Greg is back at work full-time. He enjoys boating, piping with the New York State Corrections Emerald Society Pipe Band and golfing. He is a volunteer with CDT and is committed to raising awareness so that people understand how important it is to discuss organ donation with their families.

Matt White

Thankfully, Matt and I had discussed organ donation just weeks before his death. It made the decision for donation much easier knowing his wishes to help someone else once he was gone from this world. Then again Matt was always a giving person. He was always there to lend an ear, give advice or just hold your hand when nothing could be said or done. His greatest loves in life were family and friends, music, animals and the Yankees. He was my source of strength and courage. I draw on that knowing he is around me and is proud to have been able to help others in his passing. It is in honor of his love and memory that I proudly wear my green ribbon.
- Kathleen White, Matt’s wife

John Costello

It’s spring. New life is emerging. We clear some land, prepare a place for young Christmas trees and secure them in the ground. We ready the garden so the seeds we’ll sow can open and grow into fine plants. For many years, our son John took part in these seasonal rituals. Tavish our son, Tim my husband, and I will continue to celebrate new life each year that we can. We find John in our lives and our surroundings in new ways each season. His gifts of helping, his musical talents and his love for books, animals and people will always be ours. His gifts of new life to some people are precious. But the gift of having him as one of our family cannot be topped.
- By Karen Costello, John’s mom

Kayla Sweet

Kayla Sweet enjoys astronomy, riding her bike, and collecting unique statues for her garden. She loves animals and the Backstreet Boys. Kayla may sound like the typical thirteen-year-old, but there is something setting her apart from other kids her age – Kayla is a kidney recipient.

Kayla was suffering from a congenital defect. Nine years ago, doctors informed her mother that Kayla’s kidneys were not growing at the same pace as the rest of her body and her kidneys were the size of a three-year-old.

While Kayla was waiting for a kidney, she was introduced as the “poster child” for CDT’s “Got Organs” campaign with WPYX (106.5FM), stealing the hearts of all who saw her. In December of 2001, Kayla’s face graced an ad encouraging people to donate their organs. Ironically, the day the ad appeared, Kayla got the call. A kidney was available.

Today, Kayla is doing well. She has returned to school and is enjoying doing the things she loves. She has written to the family of her donor, who left behind two children just a bit younger than herself and hopes to meet them one day.

Candie Faye Vaniglia

As a donor family, we want you to know that losing a child is the lowest point in your life. When we were offered the option of organ donation, we were given the first glint of hope in a time of despair. Organ donation gave us something positive to hold on to as we worked through this terrible tragedy. In loving memory of our daughter, Candie Faye Vaniglia, and the lives she saved.

With love, The Vaniglia Family

Scott Somma

You were so proud and happy to get your driver’s license when you turned sixteen! When you told us that you wanted to be an organ donor, we couldn’t help but think that we had raised a terrific young man! Three weeks later, with broken hearts, we fulfilled your wishes. Your unselfish act of kindness gave life to five other people. You left us with a legacy of hope and compassion and love for our fellow man. We love and miss you, Son.

Mom and Dad