Tracy Copeland’s life was saved by an organ donor after her liver failed for still unknown reasons. Tracy reached out to her donor family early on, and now the parents of Tracy's 19-year-old donor, Terry Lee Snow, cheer Tracy on to medal-winning feats at the U.S. and World Transplant Games.

Tracy's Story

Tracy Copeland’s liver failed suddenly for reasons that she still does not know. In January 1998, she was a healthy and active 34-year-old. A month later, she realized she was sick and a month after that she found herself at Stanford University Medical Center for evaluation. On March 9, she went into a coma and was placed on the transplant list. Only three days later, Tracy awoke with a new liver and a new life.

“I reached out to my donor family early after my transplant,” said Tracy, now 43. “I am so very blessed that they reached right back. I met my donor family on the one-year anniversary of my transplant.”

Tracy learned that her donor was 19-year-old Terry Snow, who lost his life in a tragic motorcycle accident. Terry’s parents, John and Kathy Snow of Fontana, CA, had never discussed organ donation with their son. “In the midst of their own unimaginable grief, the Snows made a decision that would bless several families with a gift in the form of a heart, lung, kidneys and a liver. Five families received miracles that day. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude in my heart for my donor family,” Tracy affirmed.

Since her transplant, Tracy has made it her mission to share her experience and accomplishments as a transplant recipient. She seeks opportunities to show how successful organ transplantation can be while raising awareness for the growing need. “My donor family is an incredible part of that outreach. Their strength, courage and compassion are unmatched. Kathy was a nurse at the time of Terry’s death; she is now a renal transplant coordinator. Our lives have been forever molded together. Side by side, Kathy and I now share our collective experience and encourage families to discuss organ donation.”

The Snows and Tracy’s husband and daughter have cheered Tracy on at the 2002, 2004 and 2006 U.S. Transplant Games, where Tracy competed in cycling, swimming and track. “With John and Kathy by my side, I was honored to receive the Jerry Cound Outstanding Female Athlete Award at the 2006 US Transplant Games. I was also honored to represent Team USA at the World Transplant Games in Bangkok, Thailand, in August 2007. Although I received this incredible recognition, the true heroes remain my donor family. I hope to honor them and the memory of my donor, Terry Snow, in every aspect of my life.”