February 22, 2017
Dear Tim & Janice,
I am honored, appreciative, bessed and humbled, beyond words, to be the recipient of Thomas' left lung.
I am so sorry that your son was taken so early in his life. He was an extraordinary young man and accomplished more in his years than many do in a life time. Thomas is my hero and will be close to my heart for the rest of my life.
Thank you for giving me a second chance at life. for allowing me to coninue loving my family and watching their lives unfold. I have a husband of 36 years. We have two daughters. They have been an amazing support system for me. Thank you for more years with my loved ones. I intend to use it to the fullest. I will strive to live up to the example that you and Thomas set of loving, giving and caring.
Prior to my transplant I was unable to function without oxygen. And then, only minimally even brushing my teeth was a chore. Now, thanks to being blessed, I am able to do more and more each day. I am so happy to be able to take some of the burden off my family. They never complained, but it was hard on them as well.
While I know how difficult Thomas' decision to donate his organs might have been for you, I hope it helps to know what a difference it has made in my life. I now have hope. I watch the sun come up each morning and thank God for this day. I keep you and Thomas in my prayers. There is no way on earth that I can repay you for the ultimate act of kindness that you bestowed on me. I live on because of Thomas.
Bless you all.
February 21, 2017
Dear parents of organ donor,
My heart is full having read your letter and I can see that Thomas was so precious and well loved. I'll be forever grateful to you for your selfless gift that allows my son a chance of a better life.
My son is now able to live a normal life, eat normal food and he can now also play football which he enjoys. He is only nine years ond and thanks to Thomas he now has a chance for a good life. Thomas, no doubt, is our hero!
May God continue to bless you and comfort you knowing a part of Thomas is living on in a happy little nine year old boy.
We will keep your family in our prayers.
July 25, 2016
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Surdyke,
...I hope that it may bring you a small amount of comfort knowinng that Thomas continues to touch lives through the gift of donation. I would like to share some information about the recipients of his gifts. One of his kidneys was donated to a male who is seven years old and the other kidney to a male who is eight years old. HIs heart went to a male who is fifty seven years old, his liver went to a female who is fifty nine years old, one of his lungs went to a female who is sixty one years old and his pancreas went to a male who is twenty three years old.
Thomas continues to touch lives through the gift of tissue donation. HIs gift could help as many as fifty people, and these life-changing gifts allow people to lead normal and healthy lives. Through these gifts, suffering is alleviated, mobility and sight are restored, amputations are prevented and bone tumors are replaced with healthy tissue.
Many lives have been touched by your generosity. You have enabled your son to give one final gift. Because of that gift, he will be remembered as a hero. On behalf of all the lives that were touched by this gift, I would like to express my most profound gratitude.
