The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation

Give the ultimate gift of life and become an organ donor.

Call (830) 792-9197

  • Facebook
  • Home
  • Become an Organ Donor
  • Contribute
  • Events
  • Share your story
  • Resources
  • About
    • Kristy Vandenberg, Executive Director
  • Contact
  • TUG News
  • Facts vs Myths
    • Living Kidney Donation FAQ
  • Partners
  • Volunteer
You are here: Home / Life Stories of Organ Donorship / Glendening Testimonial

Glendening Testimonial

June 16, 2014 by The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation Leave a Comment

Jacob's Lung Transplant Recipient and the Krebs family

Jacob’s Lung Transplant Recipient and the Krebs family


Receiving a diagnosis of an incurable disease of no known cause and no known cure was a shocking and hopeless, helpless feeling. When my husband was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis he was also told the progression of the disease was variable. He was one of the luckier ones whose progression was fairly slow, but marched on until after about five years his Pulmonologist told him that there was nothing more he could do but to recommend him for a double lung transplant. Being tethered to an oxygen tank 24/7 was our only survival at this point, so making the decision to try for a transplant was our only hope. Fortunately, my husband was able to qualify for a transplant after many tests to see if he was a candidate. Then the waiting began. Though the usual wait is just a few months, our wait and stress dragged on and his condition deteriorated. Our prayer life and circle of prayer warriors included family, friends, and people around the world whom we had never even met, but soon became like family to us. Our first prayers were for our unknown donor and the family who would give us the priceless gift of life. We waited almost seven months hoping and praying and wondering if David would live long enough to receive the transplant. Our mantra became “God’s timing is perfect.” Then when least expected, the miraculous call finally came “We have a donor!” and our whole world changed. The transplant was not without incident, but the recovery, though challenging, has been very good. Many times we can hardly comprehend the enormity of the experience we have gone through. Now our mantra is “Thank you God for new lungs” every single day. Now we know God’s timing was and is perfect.

Immediately after the transplant we were filled with such gratitude and joy that we wanted to share our thanks with our donor’s family. It has been a blessing to us that after a few months we were able to meet our precious donor’s family and let them feel their son’s lungs breathe in the rise and fall of my husband’s chest as he wrapped his arms around them. Our two families have now become one bigger family and we are in regular contact. Jacob, their son, now lives on in David so is part of our family. It grieves us that another family’s loss is our gain, but Jacob’s family has great faith and goodness and is thankful his donor gifts not only have allowed others to live, but have allowed Jacob to live on. The good Jacob began in his life continues in his final gift to others.

We pray that knowing how much life this gift of lungs has given to my husband and to us as a couple, to our children, our family, will bring some peace and comfort, knowing that because of Jacob’s gift, he lives on. He has given us the breath of life, and we give thanks.

Please go to donatelife.org and sign up to be an organ donor…you too can give life no matter what your age.

Filed Under: Life Stories of Organ Donorship Tagged With: Lung Transplant

About The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation

Life changing stories from The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation. Become an organ donor today.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Articles

  • 2024 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser
  • 11th Annual Big Give
  • Hispanic Heritage Month
  • The Power of Two-There is a miracle in every breath.
  • This is What Organ Donation Looks Like
  • 2023 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser
  • 2023 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser
  • I am a living kidney donor
  • It’s never too hot to register to be an organ donor!
  • Spring Into Action

Become an Organ Donor

The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation exists to encourage this vitally important action: taking the personal step to become an organ donor. It’s not enough to tell a loved one, YOU have the power to … Continue to Become an Organ Donor

Contribute to The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation

The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation is committed to educating the public and expanding the organ donor base across Texas. Our aggressive outreach strategy requires countless hours of work and … Continue to Contribute

Life changing stories from organ donorship

Trees of Hope 2024

2024 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser

FILL OUT THE TREES OF HOPE SPONSORSHIP FORM HERE Trees of Hope Fundraiser for the Ultimate Gift of Life KERRVILLE, TEXAS, Monday, November 4, 2024 – The Ultimate Gift of Life is sponsoring their 8 th Trees of Hope … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

Dec 23 banner

2023 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser

Everyone is a potential organ donor. Click here to become an organ donor. TAKE ACTION TODAY AND REGISTER! ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR: Designate organ donor on your drivers license next time you … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

2023 Tiny Trees of Hope

2023 Texas Trees of Hope Fundraiser

Making a Big Difference in Your Community and Providing HOPE! Do you have a neighbor, relative or friend who is on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ donation? If not, you are lucky, there are 10,000 people waiting … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

B Whaley - Living Kidney Donor

I am a living kidney donor

! My name is Brynnan and I am a living kidney donor. My recipient is a childhood friend who was diagnosed with lupus when we were in college. Lupus is an autoimmune disease which attacks the organs, and in Kaley’s case, her … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

Spring Into Action

Spring Into Action

Spring Into Action....Turn a time of loss into a time of Hope. Register to be an organ donor, and share your decision with others! Click here to become an organ donor TAKE ACTION TODAY AND REGISTER! ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

National Donor Day 2023

February 14th is National Donor Day....Turn a time of loss into a time of Hope. Register to be an organ donor, and share your decision with others! Click here to become an organ donor TAKE ACTION TODAY AND REGISTER! ONCE … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

Jan 2023

Happy New Year!

Click here to become an organ donor TAKE ACTION TODAY AND REGISTER! ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR: Designate organ donor on your drivers license next time you renew your license or when you are … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Click here to become an organ donor TAKE ACTION TODAY AND REGISTER! ONCE YOU HAVE REGISTERED TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR: Designate organ donor on your drivers license next time you renew your license or when you are … [Read more about this Life Changing Story of Organ Donorship]

Volunteers Needed!

We're always on the lookout for talented people who are willing to help get the word out about organ donation. Please contact us if you'd like to help in our mission to save lives!

Share Your Story!

If you have a story about how organ donation has affected you or your family, please share with us! You can also read first-person stories about how organ donation affects lives and families here.

Video of Jacob Krebs Mother

Play Jacob Krebs mother's video of organ donation

Goodshop

Ultimate Gift of Life and Goodshop.com are now collaborating in order to offer up substantial savings while supporting a great cause. The next purchase you make, you will receive a percentage will be donated and a discount will be applied to your order. Now you can get coupons and deals at stores like Roxio, Omaha Steaks, Lens.com. So far, Goodshop has raised over $11 million and continues to offer people great savings.

Contact

Kristy Vandenberg
Executive Director
The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation
PO Box 295071
Kerrville, TX 78029
830-792-9197

Judy Whaley
Director
The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation, North Texas
PO Box 161
Hamilton, TX 76531
575-430-3671

Volunteers Needed!

We're always on the lookout for talented people who are willing to help get the word out about organ donation. Please contact us if you'd like to help in our mission to save lives!

Share Your Story!

If you have a story about how organ donation has affected you or your family, please share with us! You can also read first-person stories about how organ donation affects lives and families here.

Navigation

  • Articles
  • Become an Organ Donor
  • Events
  • Life Stories of Organ Donorship
  • Share your story
  • Volunteer

Search Our Site

Our Mission

Our mission at The Ultimate Gift of LIfe Foundation is to increase awareness of the amazing benefits of organ and tissue donation through education. This will then multiply the number of individuals registered to give The Ultimate Gift, donating their organs and tissues to save multiple lives.

Copyright © 2025 · The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation · Become an Organ Donor Today

Contact · About · Portfolio · Sitemap


Are you a registered organ donor?
Please register here and on your driver’s license.
Then, share this information with your family and friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Outreach Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in