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Donate Life Colorado Members Hand Out Roses To Transplant Patients

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - In this season of giving, more than 2,500 Coloradans are hoping for the gift of life -- an organ transplant.

The folks from Donate Life Colorado gathered a group together on the transplant unit of the University of Colorado Hospital on Wednesday. It was both a reunion and a reminder for people like Michelle Williamson and Phyllis McCormack, who have a permanent bond between.

 

Michelle Williamson and Phyllis McCormack
Michelle Williamson and Phyllis McCormack (credit: CBS)

 

"She received my kidney," Williamson said.

They never met until after the transplant.

"Well, she's my angel," McCormack said.

At University Hospital Amy Johnson handed out red roses in honor of her angel, daughter Nicole, who was killed at age 15 in a one-car crash. The driver was drunk.

"I lost my daughter 13 years ago and we were able to donate her heart, liver and kidney," Johnson said.

Dominick Breton
Dominick Breton gets a rose from Amy Johnson (credit: CBS)

She made a special visit to Dominick Breton, who was one week out from a double transplant.

"Get back to doing everything I like to do," Breton said.

Ron Jacques is living proof that's possible. In 2001, Nicole's liver saved Jacques' life.

"I have six grandchildren now that would have never been a part of my life," he said.

Jacques and Johnson became fast friends.

Any Johnson Ron Jacques
CBS4's Kathy Walsh talks with Any Johnson and Ron Jacques (credit: CBS)

"It was a horrible time in our lives, but it made us really realize that people's lives were saved because of her," Johnson said.

Johnson's activism has earned her a spot as Colorado's representative on the Donate Life float in the 2015 Rose Parade. She'll ride in memory of her daughter.

Jacques hopes people take organ donation to heart.

"And like that one bumper sticker says -- if I quote it right or not – is, 'Why send your organs to Heaven when God knows we need them here on Earth,' " he said.

LINK: Donate Life Colorado

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