Peggy Averitt

Organ recipient

Yorba Linda, cA

Honored by OneLegacy

After working as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for over 15 years and living a full life as a wife, mother and proud grandmother, Peggy’s health started to deteriorate. In June, 2013, her symptoms exacerbated and, after a series of tests, she was given 3 months to live. She had end-stage liver disease, stemming from a fatty liver. Only a liver transplant could save Peggy, and with a 2-3 year transplant wait time in California, Peggy and her husband followed their doctor’s advice to get listed for a transplant at the University of Alabama. A month later, she received the call that would save her life. Four years after her transplant, Peggy is healthy and grateful, and since March, 2014, she volunteers her time as a OneLegacy Ambassador, sharing her message of hope and inspiring others to register and donate. Peggy recently celebrated her 25th anniversary with her husband, Mike, and she continues living a full life.

Peggy’s Story

After working as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for over 15 years and living a full life as a wife, mother and proud grandmother, Peggy’s health started to deteriorate. She was experiencing bouts of fatigue, nausea and loss of appetite that she attributed to work, stress and aging.

In June, 2013, her symptoms exacerbated to a point of immobility. After visiting the emergency room at Kaiser near her home, she was later transported to Los Angeles for further testing. Peggy was given 3 months to live, with a diagnosis of end-stage liver disease, stemming from a fatty liver that became sclerotic, then cirrhotic.

Only a liver transplant could save Peggy’s life, and with a 2-3 year wait time in California, Peggy and her husband followed their doctor’s advice to get listed for a transplant at the University of Alabama’s Transplant Center in Birmingham. On July 1, 2013, Peggy and her husband, Mike, flew to Alabama via a Life Flight plane, not knowing if Peggy would ever come back.

As Peggy was barely holding on to the threads of life, she finally got the call: there was a liver waiting for her. On July 31, 2013, Peggy had her life-saving liver transplant. Shortly after her transplant, Peggy’s color changed and she radiated life once again. She went back home after a few weeks, and on January 1, 2014, after watching the Donate Life float at the 2014 Rose Parade, she knew that she had to get involved. She felt grateful for her gift of life, and in March, 2014, she attended a workshop and became a proud OneLegacy/Donate Life Ambassador shortly after.

Four years after her transplant, Peggy is healthy and grateful, and she has volunteered hundreds of hours of her time sharing her message of hope and inspiring others to donate. She recently celebrated her 25th anniversary with her husband, Mike, and she continues living life to the fullest, enjoying the company of her grown children and grandchildren. She is currently learning sign language, guitar and enjoys watercolor painting.

“Every day I try to be the best person I can be. I take care of my gift of life and I will raise awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation wherever I go. I live my gifted life to honor Helen, my selfless organ donor… and I truly hope I’m making her proud.”