Debbie Kowatch lived with diabetes for almost 30 years before her kidneys failed. Thanks to a life-transforming kidney and pancreas transplant, she is no longer diabetic. She volunteers with many organizations that support organ and tissue donation in an effort to bring hope to those who are on the transplant waiting list.

Debbie's Story

Debbie Kowatch was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at the early age of three and a half. She experienced many complications of the disease, but overcame each hardship with strength and hope that there would be a cure. By the time she was 32, the long-term effects of diabetes caused her kidneys to fail. One year later, on August 10, 2004, Debbie received a kidney/pancreas transplant that dramatically changed her life. She is no longer a diabetic and no longer needs dialysis.

After her transplant, Debbie joined Organ Transplant Support (OTS), an organization that promotes organ donation. “In November 2007, I won an OTS competition to design a glass sun catcher to be given as a gift to its members. My design, ‘Believe in Hope,’ inspires members who await organ and tissue transplants,” Debbie said.

Since then, Debbie has devoted much time to several donation-related organizations. In October 2007, she became a certified volunteer for LifeBanc, the organ recovery organization in Northeastern Ohio. She noted that these organizations allow her to “give support and fellowship to transplant recipients, educate the public about organ and tissue donation, and encourage others to become donors.”

This past April, Debbie led a service project at Cuyahoga Community College, which included a four-hour donor drive from which 30 donors were added to the Ohio Donor Registry. A bake sale also raised funds for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association.

“I want to bring hope to the community, just as my organ donor brought hope to me in my time of need,” said Debbie. “How truly wonderful it is to be given a second chance at life! If only others knew how one’s life can be changed through organ and tissue donation."