2017 Cindy Keel-White

dltexas_cindy-keel-2CINDY KEEL-WHITE

Heart Recipient

Age 45 ~ Odessa, TX

Retired: Ector County Sheriff’s Office

Current Student: Odessa College – AAS Photography

Honored by DLTexas at donatelifetexas.org

Cindy was 15 years old when her life was interrupted by Hodgkin’s Disease that required months of treatment to save her life. Twenty-three years later, Cindy’s life was again interrupted. The intense radiation that sent her childhood cancer into remission had also damaged her heart, making a transplant her only hope. She was listed for a transplant in August 2010. Today, Cindy and her family use the saying “Because Of One” to honor the many blessings one person can make possible by saying “yes” to donation. Cindy says she has thought of her donor and her family each and every one of her borrowed days. Because of one yes, her life and the lives of her husband, children, parents, siblings, family, and friends have all been touched by her donor’s most precious and selfless gift.

Cindy’s Story

Cindy was 15 years old when her life was interrupted by Hodgkin’s Disease that required months of treatment to save her life. Twenty-three years later, Cindy’s life was again interrupted. The intense radiation that sent her childhood cancer into remission had also damaged her heart, making a transplant her only hope.

She was listed for a transplant in August 2010. On March 25, 2011, she received The Call and went to surgery that very night. Two days later, she awoke with her new heart, surrounded by her family.

Today, Cindy and her family use the saying “Because Of One” to honor the many blessings one person can make possible by saying “yes” to donation. Because of one person, Cindy has had the chance to accomplish and experience so many things – to finish her first 5K race, to return to school at Odessa College, to join her husband in walking their daughter down the aisle.

Cindy says she has thought of her donor and their family each and every one of her borrowed days. Because of one yes, her life and those of her husband, children, parents, siblings, family, and friends have all been touched by her donor’s most precious and selfless gift.