Mary Lehr

“In 2005 in Columbus, Ohio, my pastor led us in prayer, asking that a suitable live kidney donor would be found for another member of the church, Jeff Malisiak, whom I only recognized, but did not know. At that time, Lifeline of Ohio and The Ohio State University Hospital were just beginning to perform transplants between unrelated people.  

God touched the hearts of the decision-makers so they could trust a Samaritan Donor. 

There were actual miracles in my life during the months preceding the operation that assured me this was His plan.  And since then, I have been blessed in countless ways.  

The day after the transplant, Jeff had the energy of his 20 -year younger self and he’s enjoying life to this day!”

Ruth Tamulonis

“I’m a new member since this summer. My husband and I moved from northern California to Murrells Inlet, SC in May of 2023. I am here to talk about organ donation from a personal standpoint.

My husband and I had one child, Max. Max was a great kid, loving, funny, ornery, occasionally obnoxious, just like all kids. He always wanted to be a hero. 

Even when attending college in southern California, he asked if he could be a paramedic, EMT/firefighter ‘just in the summers.’ He volunteered on campus to help lonely students make connections. He was very healthy and loved sports. He played rugby for SDSU until his death in Feb of 2022.

On February 7, 2022, Max and his 

girlfriend were hiking in the mountains of San Diego near the ocean. The cliff edge gave way and Max was gravely injured. They were both life-flighted to Scrips Memorial Hospital in San Diego, CA. His girlfriend survived but Max was pronounced brain dead.

When Max got his driver’s license, he signed up to be an organ donor. When the hospital staff asked us about donations, we wanted him to live on in some way, and to help others. Max donated his liver to a middle aged man, both of his lungs to a woman, and his heart to another man. The best part was that two young girls both received a kidney.

Max liked to roller skate, and so did I. Sometime before he died, he came with me to roller skate in our neighborhood. I tell you this, so you’ll recognize the same God moment I did.

Please consider becoming an organ donor.”

Sue Ewald

“My husband, Dave, suffered for several years from liver disease. Liver damage causes not only physical problems such as retaining fluid that must be drained off in liters from the stomach, extremity swelling, fatigue and weakness, but also creates ammonia in the brain. This caused Dave to have confusion, loss of memory, and inability to operate such simple things as his cell phone, or the microwave. He would actually fall asleep while eating. There were hospital stays for dehydration, and confusion. Fear and hopelessness grew as the years passed. 

Finally, while he was hospitalized, MUSC contacted me stating he had been listed for a liver transplant, but he was too sick to even acknowledge that wonderful news. 

After leaving the hospital I did not think he would survive through that night.  At midnight, MUSC called to say they had a liver for him! It happened that fast! It was instant joy from the dark depression I had gone to bed with that night!

Two days later he had a new liver. Some unknown person made the decision to be an organ donor and never knew how much it would help Dave. 

The identity of the donor is never revealed. It is strictly confidential unless the donor family chooses to contact the recipient. The recipient, however, can message the donor through the hospital.

Although Dave eventually died of renal failure in 2023, he was given 16 additional years of life with a healthy liver by the grace of God and a caring organ donor. 

Rose & Bill Killian

Patrick Killian, son to SUMC members Rose and Bill Killian, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 34 in September 2023. Before his passing, Patrick decided to be an organ donor. Patrick was a kind and loving son, brother, husband, father, and friend so his decision to donate his organs was not a surprise to his friends and family. Through Sharing Hope SC, Patrick has been able to donate organs to help the lives of two people.

Patrick's family would like to thank Sharing Hope SC for their kindness and compassion, and for helping Rose & Bill through the donation process. To know that Patrick's donations are helping people in need is such a blessing.