This is Tyler.

My Donor.

His decision gave me the rest of my life.

Sunday, 6/14/2026 - 4 years, 4 months, and 14 days after my double lung transplant, I finally spoke with my donor's family.

For almost four years, I knew virtually nothing about the young man whose lungs saved my life. I knew he was a donor and that another family had experienced unimaginable loss. Beyond that, there were more questions than answers.

Then I met his mother, Martha, and his sister, Lorelei.

For nearly two hours, they told me about Tyler.

They didn't describe a tragedy. They described a son, a brother, an athlete, a coworker, and a kid who loved making people laugh. They told stories about baseball, football, wrestling, family vacations, camping trips, dirt bikes, pizza, video games, and all the little things that make someone uniquely themselves.

What struck me most was how deeply Tyler was connected to his family. If you asked him what he was most thankful for, his answer was always the same: his family.

As the conversation continued, Martha shared something I'll never forget.

She told me she believes I appreciate Tyler's gift and that I'm not wasting it.

Martha — Tyler's mother

I've thought about those words a lot since our conversation. Not because I needed validation, but because they came from the one person whose opinion mattered most to me.

As I've worked through this unexpected chapter of my career, I've also spoken at Gift of Hope events, shared my transplant story, encouraged donor registration, written, and tried to help others who find themselves facing impossible circumstances.

I've never really thought of those things as accomplishments. They're simply my way of honoring a gift I can never repay.

What Martha helped me realize is that purpose and profession are not always the same.

I'm looking forward to finding the right opportunity and returning to work. But while I search for what's next, I also have a responsibility to make the most of the time Tyler gave me.

Five years ago, a 16-year-old decided to become an organ donor when he got his driver's license.

Because of that decision, I've been able to watch my son get married, publish a book, meet my donor's family, and continue living a life that almost ended.

After 241 days on ECMO life support, a double lung transplant, and nearly a year in three different hospitals, I breathe today because of Tyler.

Before we ended our conversation, Martha told me she sees me as part of Tyler's continuing story.

That is a responsibility I will carry for the rest of my life.

HIS NAME WAS TYLER

You may never know whose life you save.

I do.

If you're already registered as an organ donor, thank you.

If you're not, I hope you'll consider it.