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Courage. Gratitude. Hope.
These are just a few of the words that tissue recipients share with us on a regular basis. Although every story is unique, each provides a glimpse into the tremendous impact that the life-saving gift of tissue donation has on the healing journey.
Featured Stories
Jackie Avers
Title :
A Tale of Two Sisters
isDonor :
No
isRecipient :
Yes
Sort order :
Labor delivery nurse Jackie Avers is no stranger to the impact of donation. As a life-long supporter of breast cancer awareness and sister to a tissue recipient, Jackie saw the life-changing effects of donation firsthand when her sister, Donna, received a tendon graft following an injury on a ski trip. When Jackie experienced a fall while riding horses in 2017, little did she know that she would be brought even closer to the world of donation.
While doctors had initially believed there was no damage, Jackie’s fall would cause years of pain in her knee and ligaments. “It got to the point where I couldn’t straighten my leg,” she shared. “I would need help just to pop it back in.” Things worsened in 2020 when Jackie found herself unable to move after merely holding her sleeping grandson. Desperate for help, Jackie sought a physician who confirmed she had torn her meniscus and ACL and later scheduled surgery. “Donna had actually informed me that I would be given MTF tissue,” Jackie explained. “I thought that was pretty neat.” For her ACL surgery, Jackie received a donated tendon graft, the same type of graft her sister received years prior!
Now, after months of recovery, Jackie is feeling better than ever and has regained her life of independence. Thanks to the gift from her donor, she returns to the activities she loves, like taking walks, cycling, and helping others in need. As a recipient and medical worker, Jackie feels forever indebted to her donor and holds their family in the utmost respect. When asked what she would say to her donor family, she states: “Words can never truly explain what your loved one’s sacrifice means to me. Not only have you changed me and my family’s life, but the lives of so many others as well. For that, thank you.”
While doctors had initially believed there was no damage, Jackie’s fall would cause years of pain in her knee and ligaments. “It got to the point where I couldn’t straighten my leg,” she shared. “I would need help just to pop it back in.” Things worsened in 2020 when Jackie found herself unable to move after merely holding her sleeping grandson. Desperate for help, Jackie sought a physician who confirmed she had torn her meniscus and ACL and later scheduled surgery. “Donna had actually informed me that I would be given MTF tissue,” Jackie explained. “I thought that was pretty neat.” For her ACL surgery, Jackie received a donated tendon graft, the same type of graft her sister received years prior!
Now, after months of recovery, Jackie is feeling better than ever and has regained her life of independence. Thanks to the gift from her donor, she returns to the activities she loves, like taking walks, cycling, and helping others in need. As a recipient and medical worker, Jackie feels forever indebted to her donor and holds their family in the utmost respect. When asked what she would say to her donor family, she states: “Words can never truly explain what your loved one’s sacrifice means to me. Not only have you changed me and my family’s life, but the lives of so many others as well. For that, thank you.”
Jackie Avers
Title :
A Tale of Two Sisters
isDonor :
No
isRecipient :
Yes
Sort order :
Labor delivery nurse Jackie Avers is no stranger to the impact of donation. As a life-long supporter of breast cancer awareness and sister to a tissue recipient, Jackie saw the life-changing effects of donation firsthand when her sister, Donna, received a tendon graft following an injury on a ski trip. When Jackie experienced a fall while riding horses in 2017, little did she know that she would be brought even closer to the world of donation.
While doctors had initially believed there was no damage, Jackie’s fall would cause years of pain in her knee and ligaments. “It got to the point where I couldn’t straighten my leg,” she shared. “I would need help just to pop it back in.” Things worsened in 2020 when Jackie found herself unable to move after merely holding her sleeping grandson. Desperate for help, Jackie sought a physician who confirmed she had torn her meniscus and ACL and later scheduled surgery. “Donna had actually informed me that I would be given MTF tissue,” Jackie explained. “I thought that was pretty neat.” For her ACL surgery, Jackie received a donated tendon graft, the same type of graft her sister received years prior!
Now, after months of recovery, Jackie is feeling better than ever and has regained her life of independence. Thanks to the gift from her donor, she returns to the activities she loves, like taking walks, cycling, and helping others in need. As a recipient and medical worker, Jackie feels forever indebted to her donor and holds their family in the utmost respect. When asked what she would say to her donor family, she states: “Words can never truly explain what your loved one’s sacrifice means to me. Not only have you changed me and my family’s life, but the lives of so many others as well. For that, thank you.”
While doctors had initially believed there was no damage, Jackie’s fall would cause years of pain in her knee and ligaments. “It got to the point where I couldn’t straighten my leg,” she shared. “I would need help just to pop it back in.” Things worsened in 2020 when Jackie found herself unable to move after merely holding her sleeping grandson. Desperate for help, Jackie sought a physician who confirmed she had torn her meniscus and ACL and later scheduled surgery. “Donna had actually informed me that I would be given MTF tissue,” Jackie explained. “I thought that was pretty neat.” For her ACL surgery, Jackie received a donated tendon graft, the same type of graft her sister received years prior!
Now, after months of recovery, Jackie is feeling better than ever and has regained her life of independence. Thanks to the gift from her donor, she returns to the activities she loves, like taking walks, cycling, and helping others in need. As a recipient and medical worker, Jackie feels forever indebted to her donor and holds their family in the utmost respect. When asked what she would say to her donor family, she states: “Words can never truly explain what your loved one’s sacrifice means to me. Not only have you changed me and my family’s life, but the lives of so many others as well. For that, thank you.”
Jackie Avers
Title :
A Tale of Two Sisters
isDonor :
No
isRecipient :
Yes
Sort order :
Labor delivery nurse Jackie Avers is no stranger to the impact of donation. As a life-long supporter of breast cancer awareness and sister to a tissue recipient, Jackie saw the life-changing effects of donation firsthand when her sister, Donna, received a tendon graft following an injury on a ski trip. When Jackie experienced a fall while riding horses in 2017, little did she know that she would be brought even closer to the world of donation.
While doctors had initially believed there was no damage, Jackie’s fall would cause years of pain in her knee and ligaments. “It got to the point where I couldn’t straighten my leg,” she shared. “I would need help just to pop it back in.” Things worsened in 2020 when Jackie found herself unable to move after merely holding her sleeping grandson. Desperate for help, Jackie sought a physician who confirmed she had torn her meniscus and ACL and later scheduled surgery. “Donna had actually informed me that I would be given MTF tissue,” Jackie explained. “I thought that was pretty neat.” For her ACL surgery, Jackie received a donated tendon graft, the same type of graft her sister received years prior!
Now, after months of recovery, Jackie is feeling better than ever and has regained her life of independence. Thanks to the gift from her donor, she returns to the activities she loves, like taking walks, cycling, and helping others in need. As a recipient and medical worker, Jackie feels forever indebted to her donor and holds their family in the utmost respect. When asked what she would say to her donor family, she states: “Words can never truly explain what your loved one’s sacrifice means to me. Not only have you changed me and my family’s life, but the lives of so many others as well. For that, thank you.”
While doctors had initially believed there was no damage, Jackie’s fall would cause years of pain in her knee and ligaments. “It got to the point where I couldn’t straighten my leg,” she shared. “I would need help just to pop it back in.” Things worsened in 2020 when Jackie found herself unable to move after merely holding her sleeping grandson. Desperate for help, Jackie sought a physician who confirmed she had torn her meniscus and ACL and later scheduled surgery. “Donna had actually informed me that I would be given MTF tissue,” Jackie explained. “I thought that was pretty neat.” For her ACL surgery, Jackie received a donated tendon graft, the same type of graft her sister received years prior!
Now, after months of recovery, Jackie is feeling better than ever and has regained her life of independence. Thanks to the gift from her donor, she returns to the activities she loves, like taking walks, cycling, and helping others in need. As a recipient and medical worker, Jackie feels forever indebted to her donor and holds their family in the utmost respect. When asked what she would say to her donor family, she states: “Words can never truly explain what your loved one’s sacrifice means to me. Not only have you changed me and my family’s life, but the lives of so many others as well. For that, thank you.”
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MTF Biologics is a registered trademark of the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation.
MTF Biologics is a registered trademark of the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation.
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