In July 2023, Meghan walked into what she thought would be a routine mammography appointment. Instead, after a series of biopsies and ultrasounds, she received a life-changing diagnosis: breast cancer, which she learned about on August 10th. With her wedding only two months away, she faced an unimaginable challenge. But with the unwavering support of her fiancé, she made the courageous decision to undergo a double mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction, an aggressive approach that would eliminate the cancer while avoiding radiation. The surgery was scheduled just 8 days after their wedding.
Her surgery was successful, but her journey was far from over. A severe infection developed in her right breast, causing her to eventually lose the breast entirely. She thought she would never be able to have a reconstructed breast again due to the amount of skin lost from the infection. That’s when a selfless act of generosity changed everything.
Meghan received donated skin tissue, a gift that not only helped her heal but also allowed her to move forward with her life. Though she has not fully recovered and still has at least one more surgery to go, with the help of the donated tissue, she has had a very successful experience. Meghan hopes that her surgery this summer will be the last step in this process.
Meghan has been a registered organ donor for many years, and now, more than ever, she feels deeply grateful for the life-changing gift of organ and tissue donation. She wrote a heartfelt Thanks2You letter* to her donor’s family, expressing her profound gratitude for the gift that helped restore her health. Inspired by this experience, she remains committed to being an organ and tissue donor, hoping to one day pass on the same kindness she received.
Meghan has been involved with the Deaf community since she was 8 years old and has worked professionally within it for almost 25 years. For the past 7 years, she has taught American Sign Language (ASL) to hearing students at a local public high school. She is a devoted mother to a 15-year-old and is married to a wonderful man who works in physical therapy, providing home health services to our local retirement community. Throughout her journey, her loving husband has stood by her side, offering support and strength.
Now, Meghan is using her voice to educate others about the incredible impact of tissue donation. Her story is a testament to the generosity of donors and the healing power of their gifts, restoring not just health but hope and a future filled with possibility.
* The Thanks2You program is an initiative by LifeNet Health that allows tissue recipients to express their gratitude to the families of their donors. Through heartfelt letters, recipients can share how the gift of donation has impacted their lives, providing healing, mobility, and a renewed sense of hope. The program serves as a bridge between donor families and recipients, offering a way to honor the generosity of donors while giving families a sense of comfort in knowing their loved one’s gift made a difference.