Isreal Tomas Reynero was my son out of 3 boys he was my middle child age 22 years old. He was a handsome boy he loved his family very much and his job he had for 4 years, Isreal had been working since he was 7. We struggled so much we were homeless so he made it happen to keep a roof over our heads. Isreal was the light that brighten up our lives everyday he had a smile that everyone loved and still loves. It’s an honor to help others because he would love that he did for everyone and he puts himself last like me his mother. It was my pleasure to help where it was needed and I thank yall for our gift it meant a lot to me at this time of loss. My son was everything to me I took care of him through his sickness and I know he’s looking down on what you guys did. Thank you
My son passed on December 22, 2024 and I have to understand that I no longer have my baby to help to protect to keep safe he’s in a place where he’s taken care of.
On 12/10/24, my husband of 20 years passed away unexpectedly from multiple clots in his lungs. I never thought I would lose him that day but things were in motion beyond my control. After the worst night of my life, I got a call from a Miracles In Sight team member, the next morning. She was extremely respectful and caring. I didn’t know which end was up but I let her talk and she reminded me Jace was an organ donor. His eyes were the only organ he could donate because of how his body gave out. She told me a bit about the program and told me that she understood it was a tough time but she would need an answer soon. I really wanted to honor his wishes and think it out. After discussing with family, they called back the next day and I said yes. I knew it was possible it may go to research but I was hoping someone could get them. His eyes were caring, loving, smart and compassionate. They were what I thought I would see everyday until I was old and gray. I wanted part of him to live on. They were respectful of my time, answered any questions and then they took it from there. Is few weeks later, I received a letter in the mail from miracles saying they were able to place his eyes with a recipient. That made my heart so happy and the thought of part of Jace living on, was the best outcome from the donation. I miss the light and love behind those eyes everyday. I hope someone else gets to experience that with the donation.
The process was super positive in such a dark time. The staff at miracle had the hardest job by calling a widow the day after her husband’s death. I can’t imagine the heart it takes to do that job.
Jace was a strong, smart, silly, loving and funny man who had left us too soon. His heart was with his family of pups and the patients he helped in his nursing career.
My name is Lynn Neillie and I have 20/20 eyesight–as a 68 year old! But prior to 2017, that was not my situation. I had Fuch’s Dystrophy, a condition that would eventually cause diminishing (think grey, foggy) then zero eyesight—without a cornea transplant.
Thankfully, I have had two wonderful doctors who knew the diagnosis of Fuch’s (thank you Dr. Laura Miller!) and knew exactly what to do about it: (thank you, skilled expert surgeon Dr. David Tremblay!).
I didn’t realize for many years how poor my eyesight was. Every morning I would have a very difficult time seeing. My view was grey and fuzzy. Throughout the day, though, it gradually improved but never to truly good eyesight. A symptom of Fuch’s is that your eyesight improves throughout the day as the cells in my eyes would dismiss the moisture that they had gathered overnight.
I am a professional speaker and workshop leader. I have traveled all around the world—now I realize: not always having a clear view. Today I only minimally wear reading glasses and I amaze my young friends by reading signs and seeing sights that they can’t see. Who knew I could have 20:20 eyesight later in life?!
My favorite 30-day timeframe was when my first eye had received the cadaver cornea and I realized out of that eye: I could see clearly, light didn’t hurt me, things were not grey. While we were waiting the prescribed 30 days before the second eye surgery, I had the privilege of perspective: of the second untreated eye’s poor sight. What a grey blurry world was that eye’s outlook—until Dr. Tremblay’s next surgery!
I am so grateful. I praise God every day for my unselfish donors who gave me their corneas and for Dr. Miller and Dr. Tremblay sharing their expertise with me.
Our 26 year old son, Caleb, was an organ donor. He suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of a fall brought on by a grand mal seizure. His anatomical gifts included heart, lungs. kidneys and liver. When we received the Miracles In Sight blanket, we were made aware that his eyes were also making life better for someone else. His grandmother is legally blind, and she was very happy to think that Caleb’s gift could help bring sight to someone.
Caleb signed up as a donor of his own accord. We didn’t give it much thought until the moment in the hospital when we were informed that he would not recover. We agreed to his organ donation. The process gave us a more positive closure. Knowing that he was bringing a better quality of life to others, gave us peace. Having more understanding of the donation process, makes us desire to become organ donors as well.
Caleb loved helping others. He cared for older people and those less fortunate than himself. He had a Great Pyrenees named Luna that he cared for and walked often. He played football from the 3rd grade through college. He was Green Bay Packer fan. He was a great son, brother and friend to many. He had a great sense of humor and loved children. He always took the time to play games with them and make them feel special. He will be greatly missed.
In loving memory of my daddy, Danny C. Martin that went to be with the Lord on October 29th 2024. My daddy’s kindness and compassion will continue to shine through his incredible gift of life. His decision to become both a tissue and cornea donor was a final, selfless act that embodied the way he lived—always giving, always caring, always thinking of others. Because of his generosity, he has not only given the gift of sight to two other individuals but also helped heal and improve the lives of so many.
Daddy, you taught me the value of empathy, of seeing the world through others’ eyes, and of making a difference wherever I could. By giving his corneas, he has literally brought light into the lives of those who were once in darkness. Through his tissue donation, he has given strength, health, and hope to people he never even met—because he believed in the power of love and connection.
Though he may no longer be here with me, his legacy lives on, both in our hearts and in the lives of those he has healed. Daddy, thank you for showing me what it means to live with purpose and compassion. I will forever be proud of you, and your spirit will live on in me— and in the vision and well-being you’ve given to others.
Trieva was an amazing person. She was the finest, most kind, most compassionate person I ever knew (I’m 64, and she was 56.) She was loved by all who knew her, and were touched by her amazing smile and personality. She was a great wife and mother, and a great friend to MANY! (I had several women tell me that Trieva was their BEST FRIEND. I know her best friend, and circle of good friends. These women weren’t in this group… Yet, Trieva always managed to make others feel special. She treated them like best friends! She cared about them, and it showed! She was active in her church, and was known as someone you could go to for help, advice, or just a hug. She was an Occupational Therapist, and worked with autistic and learning disabled children…. I met some of the parents of “her children”, the day of her organ donation, at the Honor Walk… They all spoke glowingly of her, saying that she had bonded with their child like no other Therapist had ever done. They all spoke through tears… Trieva was loved, and gave love… for her last days, friends traveled from Florida, Utah, Washington, DC, and from MD, and around North Carolina…
We will be spreading her ashes in a ceremony at the beach in a couple weeks. We expect there to be as many as 50 people attending… One traveling from Denver, Colorado… Trieva was loved, and nearly every day, I run into someone I don’t know, who has a story of something selfless and kind Trieva did for them… And she never spoke, even to me, of these things. Her loving, good deeds, were kept between herself, the individual she was helping, and God. She never sought credit …
She was an exemplary wife, and mother. She and I were together 35 years, and married for 33 years. I will never marry again. It wouldn’t be fair, because no other woman I’ve ever met, or will meet, would compare well with her. (She would tell you otherwise, but that would just be her, being modest.)
Finally, she had an amazing sense of humor, was always smiling her fantastic smile, always finding the positive… Loving her friends and family. And she had a great love for God, and Jesus. She was such an amazing woman.
My name is Lynn Neillie and I have 20/20 eyesight–as a 68 year old! But prior to 2017, that was not my situation. I had Fuch’s Dystrophy, a condition that would eventually cause diminishing (think grey, foggy) then zero eyesight—without a cornea transplant.
Our 26 year old son, Caleb, was an organ donor. He suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of a fall brought on by a grand mal seizure. His anatomical gifts included heart, lungs. kidneys and liver. When we received the Miracles In Sight blanket, we were made aware that his eyes were also making life better for someone else. His grandmother is legally blind, and she was very happy to think that Caleb’s gift could help bring sight to someone.
