When Edith Gonzalez lost her husband Lidio to a brain aneurysm, she realized they had never discussed organ donation and wasn’t sure of his wishes. But with guidance from the Catholic Church that organ donation is considered to be the ultimate gift of love, Edith knew exactly what to do. Since then Edith has made promoting donor awareness her unstoppable mission. Lidio had been a very caring and giving person and their young daughter now regards him as the greatest hero in the world for his legacy.

Edith's Story

In April of 2001, I lost my husband Lidio due to a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Up until that time I thought I knew everything about being an organ donor, but I was very wrong. Among the many decisions that I had to make the most difficult was whether or not to donate Lidio’s organs. Lidio and I had never talked about being donors. I did not know his wishes and found myself confused as to what to do. As I read the information that was provided to me I realized that it was something that I had to do. What inspired me was a message from Pope John Paul II where I found reassurance that as a Catholic organ donation was accepted and viewed as the ultimate gift of love. Lidio loved life – I recalled how he used to bring home injured ducks and pigeons from the park and he nursed them until they were well, it was his nature to give of himself to anyone in need, even if it meant giving all that he had. So, I asked myself, “why wouldn’t he want to save another persons life?”

I was confident I had made the right decision, and I confirmed it when I received a letter from Pete, one of my husband’s lung recipients. Hundreds of times I asked God why he had taken Lidio from me and through Pete’s letter I understood. I now know that his death was not in vain; his legacy continues through recipients such a Pete and his family who is so grateful for this precious gift.

Donating my husband’s organs not only saved the lives of complete strangers, but it also gave me a new life. Since becoming an Ambassador I have made a personal commitment to promoting donor awareness. Due to lack of information I was not able to give light to someone who lives in a world of darkness (by not donating his corneas) but through his death I want to bring light to those who live in a world of darkness filled with myths, fears and misconceptions in regards to organ and tissue donation.

I experienced a sudden loss that led to doubt and fear among other things. Somehow I found the inner strength to turn this into a personal triumph I believe a lot of it was the fact that I had a then 5 year old daughter depending on me to continue living and provide for the both of us. When Meredith found out that through his death her daddy became an organ donor and saved lives, she declared him as the greatest hero in the world. She has already expressed her desire to be an organ donor.

My life has undergone a huge transformation. I no longer feel depressed or sorry for myself. Being an Ambassador has helped me conquer demons and view painful memories in a different light. I thank OneLegacy for inviting me to join the volunteer program, because of them my daughter and I have slowly healed our wounds. I am on an unstoppable mission and will continue to promote donor awareness speaking to anyone who will lend an ear.