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About Us
Legacy of Life was founded in 1993 and is an independent, community
based, nonprofit tissue bank specializing in the recovery of human
tissues for transplant and providing compassionate services to
donor families. Legacy of Life is accredited by the American Association
of Tissue Banks (AATB), and proudly serves the San Antonio, Rio
Grande Valley, Permian Basin, East Texas - Tyler, Laredo, and
Golden Triangle regions of Texas.
Legacy of Life specializes in the recovery of musculosketal, cardiac,
vascular and skin tissues. In addition to recovering tissue, Legacy
of Life works closely with the agencies that provide local surgeons
and hospitals tissues needed for transplant to ensure that tissues
recovered in this area are returned here to meet the needs of
local patients awaiting transplant. Legacy of Life employees are
strategically located to provide the greatest level of service
to each community.
Legacy of Life provides a full range of professional educational
programs tailored specifically for hospitals, funeral homes, medical
examiners, justices of the peace, law enforcement and nursing
home. In-services are always available on demand and, in some
cases, offer CEUS. Curriculums cover not only the fundamentals
of organ and tissue donation, but also the ethics, benefits, and
technical aspects of the donation process. Legacy of Life also
provides ongoing community education through participation in
local health fairs, church services, civic organizations and local
high schools and colleges.
To fulfill our mission, it is imperative to give back to the community
in tangible ways. Legacy of Life also provides services such as
literature on the grief associated with the loss of a loved one
to donor families and encourages families to contribute to our
ongoing donor quilts by submitting a quilt square that memorializes
their loved one.
In each regional area, Legacy of Life participates in annual "Celebration
of Living and Giving" and encourages all of our donor families
to participate as well. Donor families are recognized and receive
a solid bronze cast Donor Family Medal that can be mounted on
a gravestone or a memorial wall. The medal is one way of recognizing
the generosity of donating families.
Perhaps our greatest contribution is through our relationships
with tissue distributors, we help to ensure that the tissue needs
of local transplant surgeons are met first.
Through our transplant partners we have
contributed to the completion of more than 100,000 transplants.
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About Johnny, a donor, as told by his wife Yolanda
Immediately upon Johnny's death, I was asked if I would donate his eyes, bone, and body tissue. Without any hesitation, I agreed on giving someone else the opportunity to be able to see, or the opportunity to walk, or even feel. Giving someone else a chance to live a normal life would have been his legacy. My greatest wish and desire is that everyone would consider donating their loved one's organs and tissues to experience the great joy and peace we now know from helping others in need. |
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About a donor, Stacy, as told by her mother Donna
Her sudden and unexpected death has almost been more than we can endure. Stacy was always the first one to step forward and help someone else regardless of age or race; therefore, we knew she would have chosen to donate in order that others might live a better life. Each stitch in this donor memory quilt was my way of saying, "I love you and miss you more than anything in the world." |
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About Alan, a donor, as told by his wife Flo
How did I feel as I made this donor memory quilt? Grateful! Grateful that God gave me such a wonderful husband who was the most "giving" person I ever knew, up to and even after his passing away. Alan made the decision that if any part of his earthly body could be used to help someone else upon his passing, he wanted to see that it was accomplished. Thank you for giving us one more opportunity to tell how truly wonderful he was and still is. |
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