2016 Monica Burnom
MONICA BURNOM
Kidney Recipient
Age 33 ~ Houston, TX
Accountant
Honored by donatelifetexas.org
In the summer of 2007, 25-year-old Monica was diagnosed with lupus. In only two short years and despite aggressive treatment, the disease had so ravaged Monica’s kidneys that she was added to the national transplant waiting list. Determined and with the support of her mother, Marilyn, Monica pushed herself to continue working, teaching Sunday school and staying active, even when things got tough. When the call came, they celebrated a new start, while at the same time, praying for a family grieving a devastating loss. Today, Monica has a renewed sense of purpose. She is a full-time accountant and is studying for her MBA. She also volunteers at her former dialysis center and as an advocate for donation.
Monica’s Story
In the summer of 2007, Marilyn Burnom’s 25-year-old daughter Monica was diagnosed with lupus. In only two short years and despite aggressive treatment, the disease had so ravaged Monica’s kidneys that she was added to the national transplant waiting list.
Determined, Monica pushed herself to continue working, teaching Sunday school and staying active, even when things got tough.
“She’s is so strong, but she’s my baby,” Marilyn says, her voice quivering slightly. “Watching her go through that broke my heart a little every day.”
Trusting in faith, the two waited and prayed for five long years. Monica prayed for a second chance, ready to get back to her once active lifestyle. Knowing her daughter could not survive on dialysis indefinitely, Marilyn prayed the kidney her daughter needed to live would come in time.
On February 28, 2014, the call came that answered their prayers. While they celebrated a new start, they also prayed for an unknown family grieving a devastating loss.
Today, Monica has a new kidney and a renewed sense of purpose. She is a full-time accountant and is studying for her MBA. She also volunteers at her former dialysis center and as an advocate for donation.
After her transplant, Monica was told that her donor had registered with Donate Life Texas while getting a new driver license. This news brought the story full circle for her mother who works for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License Division.
Marilyn admits she used to get a little uneasy thinking about organ donation. Now, she makes a point to speak openly and passionately with friends, fellow church-goers and just about anyone, about the benefits of registering. This experience has also given her an entirely new perspective on the powerful role her DPS co-workers have in providing an easy way for people to register.
“You might think it’s just a check box on a form, but it’s really the chance to save lives,” she says. “My daughter is alive right now because of that check box and because someone, somewhere made the heroic choice to register.”