April is Donate Life Awareness Month
Full Heart: Honoring Life, Legacy, and the Gift of a Second Chance
The Gift of Every Morning
Every morning when I open my eyes, I feel it—that fragile, beautiful thread of life that connects me to this world. Ten years ago, I was in a fight for my life, diagnosed with liver cancer. I can still remember the fear, the exhaustion, and the quiet, constant prayers whispered in the dark. But through it all, one thing remained unwavering: the love and support of my family.
My husband, my rock, stood beside me through every test and treatment. My family became my caregivers, my lifeline. They saw me at my weakest and loved me even harder. I owe every breath I take to their strength, patience, and unshakable faith. The month of April begins with my birthday. Yes, I’m an April Fool. But my daughter and my grandmother Opal Cook were also born in April. So my family has so VERY much to celebrate.
April is Donate Life Awareness Month
But above all, this month—Donate Life Awareness Month—I honor my donor Gavin and his extraordinary mom. In the midst of unbearable grief, she made the decision to donate Gavin’s organs. Because of her selfless act, I am alive. After a year of cancer treatment, my team called me on April 11th. There were 2 dry runs where the liver went to the primary recipient, and I was just the back up. But on April 13, after an 8 hour surgery, my life began anew.
I carry Gavin’s liver, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of him, or her, and what they gave to me. Her bravery and compassion are etched into my heart forever. I live each day for them—with gratitude, with purpose, and with love.
A Voice for Others
In the years since my transplant, I’ve found a voice I never knew I had. Fifteen years ago, the idea of patient advocacy was still growing—but now, it’s a vibrant, essential part of how we fight liver disease together.
Working with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) has been an incredible honor. It allows me to stand alongside medical professionals, scientists, and patients to advocate for better care, greater awareness, and improved outcomes. My transplant journey would not have been possible without the miracle workers at the Nazhi Zuhdi Transplant Center. Their dedication and skill gave me a second chance at life—and I’ll never stop thanking them for that.
Through the Global Liver Institute, I’ve had the privilege of connecting with others who share this mission. We are a community bound by resilience and hope. The friendships I’ve made in the patient space are some of the deepest and most meaningful of my life. Helping to educate and bring awareness for all the different types of liver disease is at the heart of everything GLI does. Thanks to Donna Cryer’s vision, we’re still going strong. Now under the leadership of Larry Holden, we lift each other up, we cry together, we laugh together—and we fight together for those still waiting for their miracle.
Finding Joy Again
After taking time off from teaching to battle cancer, being back in the classroom has filled me with indescribable joy. There’s something so powerful about returning to what you love, surrounded by your hometown, your lifelong friends, and your family.
I laugh even more now. If that is possible. I love harder. I don’t sweat the small stuff because I know—really know—how precious each day is.
Yes, the health struggles are still there. Chronic illness doesn’t disappear with a transplant. But I don’t take a single moment for granted. I’m alive because someone said yes. Because Gavin’s mom had the courage to give even while she was grieving.
It’s hard to put into words how full my heart is every day. The gratitude runs so deep, it humbles me. I carry Gavin’s spirit with me in everything I do. I teach, I advocate, I live—with intention, with passion, and with a love that was born from a second chance.
April is Donate Life Awareness Month
So this April, during , I encourage everyone to consider becoming an organ donor. You might be someone’s only hope. You might be their miracle. I know—I’m living proof. If you want to know more about transplant or organ donation, leave a message. xo Karen
