Liver recipient Zoe Kienstra, right, greets donor families at a Candlelight Memorial Ceremony hosted by Mid-America Transplant in 2014.
When Medora, Illinois began its 4 on the 4th Run/Walk celebration to raise funds for a cause, Mary Loy approached organizers about supporting Mid-America Transplant. Mary is a donor mother who is passionate about organ and tissue donation. Her 42-year-old daughter Melissa was a donor in 2013.
As the fifth annual four-mile run/walk event held on the Fourth of July approached this year, organizers contacted Mary with a special request. They asked if Melissa’s 16-year-old liver recipient, Zoe Kienstra, would be interested in kicking off the 4 on the 4th.
Zoe readily agreed to walk with Mary, who Zoe has referred to as a second grandma in her life. “I’m very excited,” said Mary. “I cry when I talk about it. Our families have become close.”
With assistance from Mid-America Transplant, Mary and Zoe will hand out green bracelets – a symbol supporting organ and tissue donation – and provide brochures about donation at the town-wide celebration that includes a picnic, cornhole tournament and more.
Melissa and her grandson.
Mary says Melissa would be proud. “Organ donation has turned a tragedy in our life into a blessing,” Mary said. “If Melissa had not passed away and given her liver to Zoe and her heart to a man on the East Coast … Melissa saved two lives. She was a lifesaver. It’s almost like a part of her is still here.”