Debbie, the mother of four and a pastor's wife, has had corneal transplants in both eyes. "I'd love to be able to tell the families of the donors what wonderful gifts they gave," Debbie says. "Until you are on a waiting list, you don't take organ and tissue donation that seriously."

There are no guarantees that Debbie's corneal problems won't recur. "It's a little bit scary," Debbie says. "But I trust that God will take care of me. He has already worked miracles in both eyes."

Debbie knows that sight is a gift from God, and that as long as God wants her to paint, He will supply her with the gift of sight.

If you have not yet done so, please talk about organ and tissue donation with your family. Physicians and hospital personnel can answer your questions and give brochures about organ and tissue donation.

If you want to be an organ and/or tissue donor, it is important that family members know your wishes, because they are the ones who will be asked to make the decision.

  -- Debbie Rittenhouse & Grace Witwer Housholder

A Message from a Donor's Father
A journalist, Becky, the third child of Mike and Fran DeWine, was killed in a car accident in 1993. She was an eye donor.

"People often face the crucial decision about organ donation at the worst possible time - after the sudden loss of a family member. Our family had never talked about the issue until we were left with no choice. Families need to become aware of the life-saving difference they can make by deciding to become organ donors. Our greatest challenge is to ensure that more families understand how they can help save someone's life."

  -- United States Senator Mike DeWine of Ohio