Second baseman Joey Ianiero hoped to make it to the Major Leagues. During a game, Joey was turning a double play when the runner crashed into his left knee, tearing his ACL, MCL and meniscus. Joey returned to the playing field just four months after having his knee reconstructed with the help of a tendon from a deceased donor. Around Thanksgiving, Joey's mom wrote a letter to the donor family. Six months later, unaware his mom wrote the letter, Joey received a Facebook friend request from Brandon Witt. "He wanted me to know that I had received his deceased father's tendon," said Joey. The gift Joey received from Brandon's father allowed him to return to the game he loves, led him to a "ride of a lifetime" by Brandon's side in the Rose Parade, and forever improved his quality of life.

Joey's Story

It was always a personal goal of Joey Ianiero to play college baseball with the hopes of making it to the Major Leagues. In the summer of 2008, as a member of the Rutgers University baseball team, Joey decided the best way to continue to improve his playing skills was to join a league in North Carolina.

After a few weeks of playing down south, something happened that changed his life. As the team's second baseman, Joey was turning a double play when the runner slid late and crashed into his left knee. Joey instantly knew he was injured, but not sure how badly. Joey had torn his ACL, MCL and Meniscus – aka the "Unhappy Triad."

After returning home to Bloomsburg, PA, Joey went to see a doctor about his injuries. The doctor offered several options for how to repair Joey's ruptured ACL, including receiving a donor tendon. The doctor assured him the donor tendon was the most efficient way to repair the ligament. Joey underwent surgery and afterward a nurse handed his mom an envelope and said, "Your son was the recipient of a gift today." Not fully realizing how much of an impact this gift would have on his life, Joey returned to the playing field just four months later, which is unheard of with an injury of this significance.

Later that year, around Thanksgiving, Joey's mom decided to write a letter to the donor family. The only thing she had was a case ID number, so she wasn't sure who she was writing to, but felt it was necessary to say "thank you." Six months later, unaware his mom wrote the letter, Joey received a Facebook friend request from Brandon Pettit, who lived in Texas. Brandon looked around his age and Joey thought maybe he played baseball against him, so he accepted the request. The next day, Joey had a Facebook message from Brandon. Brandon explained how he came across the letter Joey's mom wrote, found Joey's name on the Rutgers roster, then searched for him on Facebook. He wanted me to know that I had received his deceased father's tendon.”

The following November, MTF invited Joey and his mom to meet Brandon and his family at a ceremony for the deceased donors at Transplant Services Center UT Southwestern Medical Center. "This was truly a special and emotional day for us," says Joey. "Even though we emailed, sent text messages, and had phone calls, it felt so good to personally say 'thank you' and spend time with Brandon and his family."

As for his baseball career, Joey eventually transferred to Bloomsburg University and in two seasons earned many accolades. Joey was motivated to excel as an athlete and student with support from his family, coaches, teammates, friends, a phenomenal surgeon, and the Pettit family.

The gift Joey received from Brandon's father allowed him to return to the game he loves, led him to a "ride of a lifetime" by Brandon's side in the Rose Parade, and forever improved his quality of life.