Tawny Blum was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis in 1997 and primary biliary cholangitis in 2010—two rare, chronic liver diseases with no known cause and no cure. And in 2014, doctors told her she had end-stage liver disease and needed a transplant to survive.

When Tawny’s older sister Tricia learned that Tawny’s only hope for survival was a transplant from a living donor, she didn’t hesitate to get tested. “I could not imagine a life without Tawny in it,” she says. “I wanted her to have a better chance at life.” 

It turns out that Tricia was the first and only person tested—she was a perfect match for Tawny. And in September 2015, Tricia donated 64% of her liver to save Tawny’s life.

“There are no words of thanks great enough for the gift of life my sister Tricia gave me,” Tawny says. “She is my hero, and I am so incredibly grateful for the gift she gave me.”

Now, Tricia and Tawny share their story in the hope that others will register as organ and tissue donors. “I share my story because it saved my sister’s life, and it could save others’ lives,” Tricia says.

“I would not be here today if it weren’t for an organ donor—a living organ donor,” Tawny says. “My sister saved my life.”

Every 10 minutes, someone is added to the organ transplant waiting list.

Approximately 113,000 men, women, and children are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. One organ donor has the power to save up to eight lives and change the outcomes of someone’s world forever by giving them a second chance. Additionally, tissue donation can save and improve the lives of up to 75 people with their gifts. You can make a huge impact by registering as an organ and tissue donor.

Learn more about organ and tissue donation, or register as a donor at https://donatelifewisconsin.org.