Kelly Luchini was 39 when she and her family had to unexpectedly say goodbye to her brother Michael, her senior by four years. When first approached with the opportunity to donate his organs, knowing Michael's caring nature, the family quickly concluded that donation is something he would have wished for. The memory of Michael's passing is difficult for Kelly, but the donation brings some comfort. "Knowing that there is someone out there living today as a direct result of a gift they received from Michael makes the pain of losing someone who was loved so much a bit more bearable," said Kelly.

Kelly's Story

Kelly Luchini was 39 when she and her family said goodbye to her brother Michael, her senior by four years. As Michael's passing was unexpected, Kelly, nor the family, had ever given much thought to organ donation and Michael had never made his wishes known.

When first approached with the opportunity to donate, Kelly's family tried to think what Michael would have wanted. Knowing his caring nature towards others, they quickly concluded that this is what he would have wished for.

The experience of working through the process of organ donation is difficult for Kelly to put into words. "It was an extraordinarily emotional time," she said. As the family learned more about the donation process, realizing how rare it is to be a candidate for donation, the family began to wish for Michael to be able to donate even "just one" organ. Kelly remembers vividly the moment when she heard the words: "We've got a match." "The feeling was one of such mixed emotions," she recalled. In less than 48 hours, Michael's kidney would soon be part of someone else, giving that person the chance at life.

It has been more than three years since Michael's passing, and Kelly and her family continue to share their story with others. Telling people of about brother's passing is not only hard for her, but it can be equally hard to see how others react. However, being able to share the story of his donation quickly turns the conversation to a more positive light.

"Knowing that there is someone out there living today as a direct result of a gift they received from Michael makes the pain of losing someone who was loved so much a bit more bearable," said Kelly. It is the family's hope that they will one day meet the recipient.