09/01/2026
"My story began when I was 5 months old and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
Childhood was very normal for me despite my diagnosis. However, at age 18 and in college, my health began to change drastically. My medical team informed me that my liver and kidneys were failing and that I had developed cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.
After spending most of 2025 in and out of the hospital due to frequent lung infections, my medical team informed me that a transplant would be necessary. They were very concerned that if I received a liver and a kidney, the cystic fibrosis in my lungs would, over time, affect them, so it was decided to transplant both my lungs, my liver and kidneys, something that hadn’t been done in Illinois and only 5 times previously in the U.S.
My family and I were very worried about the surgery, but also about the possibility of not finding a donor with my rare blood type. In January 2026, we received the news that a donor match had been found. After 36 hours of surgery, I woke up with a new light.
We are so grateful to my organ donor and their family who decided to give life to me during their time of pain. I am here today as the first quadruple organ recipient in Illinois because of someone whose generosity extended beyond themself. I am here today because someone decided organ donation could save a life…my life." –Jasmine 💙💚
Story via Donate Life America
