Michelle Sprague has suffered more loss in the last few years than one person should. She lost her younger sister in February 2020, and her mother that September. Though her mother wished to be an organ donor in the event of her passing, she was only able to donate her tissues and eyes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A few years later, in April 2023, Michelle received another devastating call: her father, Thomas Bauernfeind, was in the hospital and was being airlifted to the neurological center. Michelle, who previously worked in IT at a hospice center, feared the worst. “I knew the fact that they were letting us into the hospital at 2 a.m., things didn’t look good,” she says.

Thomas spent a week in the hospital, during which doctors ran tests and spoke with Michelle and her siblings about their father’s wishes. Though Thomas had expressed his wish to donate his organs and tissues in the event of his passing, he was not a registered donor. “We knew he would’ve wanted to donate, but he was worried if he’d be able to as a lifelong smoker,” she says.

In the end, Thomas donated his left kidney and corneas for patients in need and donated his liver and heart to research. “The organ donation folks were so patient with us,” she says. “For Dad to be able to donate meant a lot.”

Michelle has considered writing a letter to her father’s organ and tissue recipients but struggles to put her feelings into words. “Just knowing that my dad helped somebody helps a lot. It gives me a sense of peace,” she says. “There are two people who are able to see because of Dad. There’s research moving forward because of Dad. There’s someone who has extended time with their family. To know that somebody has more years and more time with their family is important.”

Now, she encourages others to join the organ and tissue donor registry and share their wishes with their families. “Just know that it helps your loved ones heal,” she says. “It’s a priceless gift … The last thing you do is something so amazing, and such a great gift. Your family has that to remember you by.”

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.