Maria “Terri” Pilawa

Type of Donation:          Double Lung recipient

Age and Location:          Age 50– Ontario, CA

Donation Date:                June 24, 2015

Sponsor:                              Honored by OneLegacy

TERRI’S STORY

On August 2009, when Terri Pilawa married her best friend, she was feeling short of breath and this scared her. This will begin a new journey of life for Terri.

A year later, Terri’s shortness of breath worsened, leading her to be on oxygen 24/7 and being diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis.  Her doctor told her that there’s no cure for this disease and that she would need a lifesaving organ transplant.

By June 2012, Terri’s condition took a turn for the worse. She had a severe lung infection and was hospitalized. She needed more oxygen support and her coughing spasms and bouts of suffocation were more frequent. In May of 2013, she was sent to USC Keck Medical Center to begin her evaluation for a double lung transplant that Terri desperately needed, as her health was declining.

Terri received her call on June 23, 2015.  On June 24, a week after her birthday, she received her second chance at life.  She was so full of joy and happiness, but her heart ached for her donor and donor’s family, knowing that they had just lost a love one and that saying “yes” to donation saved her life.

Terri was fortunate to meet her donor’s family, which completed her circle of life, giving her more reasons to live and to give.  Terri’s donor was a 22-year old young woman, and because of her, Terri breathes freely today. She can walk and drive her red-hot Camaro without oxygen.  She lives her life to the fullest.

Terri has vacationed to New York and North Carolina.  She has witnessed her best friend’s child being born and has attended two weddings.  She gets to witness her son’s college graduation and hopes to become a grandma one day.  The best part is that Terri is alive, and she can spend her time with her family and friends.

Terri has been blessed and takes nothing for granted.  Terri speaks and educates at cities, hospitals and local DMV offices about organ, eye and tissue donation.  This has become her life commitment. Terri is a proud OneLegacy Ambassador.

“I’m so blessed beyond all the stars in the sky, for my second chance of life.  I love my donor Maria and her family for the wonderful life they have given me. I pray that I’m doing them justice, paying it forward and I promise to take care of my beautiful lungs forever.”