Versiti - Tricia and Tawny Blum | Impact Stories
 

Tricia and Tawny Blum

“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.”

Tricia and Tawny Blum

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.

 

Impact Stories | Organ & Tissue Donation

 
Barb Goeckner
In 2012, Barb Goeckner donated a kidney on behalf of her sister as part of a paired exchange of three donors and three recipients. Now, she encourages others to register as organ and tissue donors and consider becoming living donors.
 
Markesha Grayson
In December 1994, Markesha Grayson donated a kidney to her father, saving his life. As the longest living organ donor from Froedtert Hospital, she’s on a mission to spread the word about the importance of donation.
 
Judges Derek Mosley and JoAnn Eiring
In 2014, Derek was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. Already his colleague and close friend, JoAnn got tested to see if she could donate her kidney and save Derek’s life.
 
Become an Organ and Tissue Donor
Learn more about how to sign up as an organ, tissue and eye donor and how organ donation saves and enhances lives in our communities.
 
About Blood Donation
Donate blood, donate plasma or donate platelets at a blood donation center near you or a blood drive near you. Make an appointment to donate blood today.
 
Share Your Story
Versiti invites you to share your story and photo to help encourage more people to give back. You may even be featured throughout the year on our social media.
 
Impact Stories
Your blood, organ and tissue, and other donations directly impact lives in your community. Read a few of the examples of some of the lives that have been changed for the better.