Living History Makers:

Lee Downing

Organ Recipient

My involvement in each and every activity or event following my transplant can be captured in the Biblical words: “To whom much is given, much will be required”.

After my liver transplant, I had this strong feeling that I somehow needed to repay my donor and donor family for the ultimate gift. I understood that my miracle gift of transplantation could only occur as a result of this humanitarian act of love.

For weeks I contemplated how to accomplish this task. Then it occurred to me the day I went to see the inspiring movie, “Pay It Forward”. I had finally found the answer to my dilemma - “pay it forward”. Anything I can do to help my fellow man and fellow transplant recipients is a means of paying it forward. These deeds range from the simplistic acts of kindness, like opening the door for someone, to more long-term commitments, like volunteering with a non-profit service organization.

Over the past 20 years, I have had the privilege and honor to be associated with several wonderful life alternating experiences that my transplant has afforded me. Some of those highlights are:

• writing a book
• volunteering for a non-profit organization entitled, Little Brother’s Friends of The Elderly (which is a national network of non-profit, volunteer-based organizations committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly.)
• created and directed the not-for-profit organization, Organ Buddies Inc. which provides stuff toys for pre and post transplant children; the collaborative effort of co-authoring a children’s book using the Organ Buddies as central characters to help kids understand where and how the bodies organs function.
• created and designed a series of transplant greeting cards
• participated in the US Transplant Games and several World Transplant Games
• created and led the first Sports Council for Transplantation

These are some of the many, many treasures of my life in which I have been allowed to participate as a result of my gift of transplantation. I am simply one of many who have been blessed through the miracle of transplantation. I know how fortunate I have been, and each day I am thankful.

Transplantation clearly saves lives and when a person’s life has been saved he or she realizes that “to whom much is given, much will be required”.

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