At age four, Sue Sprague was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, and by her mid-30s it had taken a toll on her kidneys. Told she would need a kidney transplant, she received her gift of life in 1997 after one year on the waiting list. Of that momentous event fifteen years ago, Sue said, "That is a day I will never forget. I got my life back." Sue appreciates life, is very thankful for her second chance, and calls her donor, 39-year-old soldier Terry Brown, "My donor, my savior, my angel." This year she celebrated her 50th birthday and her 15th transplant anniversary, "All thanks to my hero, Terry."

Susan's Story

At age four, Sue Sprague was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Her parents tried to give her as normal a childhood as possible. They gave her daily insulin injections, made sure she always ate healthy meals on time, got plenty of exercise and monitored her blood sugar. Eventually, Sue learned to take care of her medical responsibilities.

At age 21, Sue married Doug, the next year they had their first child, Ryan. Having children was risky given her medical condition, and Sue was monitored closely throughout the pregnancy. Daughter Kristi was born five years later. "Both pregnancies were tough but I made it through them with much help and many doctors." said Sue. That same year, Sue's kidneys started to slowly fail due to her diabetes.

By 1996, Sue's kidney function was very low and she was told she would need a kidney transplant. She was put on dialysis three days a week for four-hour intervals, giving her a lifeline until she received a transplant the next year. Of the day she received her transplant, Sue recalled, "That is a day I will never forget. I got my life back."

Sue calls her donor, 39-year-old soldier Terry Brown, "My donor, my savior, my angel." After he was killed in an automobile accident on his way home from his night job, Terry's family made the heroic decision to donate his organs despite their great loss.

Nine months after her transplant, Sue met the entire Brown family, including Terry's three children. Terry and Sue's mothers shared many stories and many tears. "His mom and siblings knew this is something Terry would have wanted as he was a kind, giving and generous man," said Sue. "He was a people person, and he lit up a room when he entered with his smile. His brother told me when we met that my smile was Terry's smile, too. I will forever hold that in my heart!"

To this day, Sue continues to keep in touch with the Brown family through events, cards, emails, visits and social media. Another way she honors her donor is by sharing her story. "We participate in walks, public speaking, health fairs, parades and the Transplant Games," said Sue. "My family supports all of my events and we travel together as a family, spreading the importance of organ donation."

Sue says she appreciates life and is very thankful for her second chance. This year she celebrated her 50th birthday and her 15th transplant anniversary, "All thanks to my hero, Terry."