When my brother was declared brain dead by the neurologist, we told the hospital when we'd be "pulling the plug," and Carolina Donor Services began to look for receivers. They were the people in charge of finding matches for Andrew's organs. As the day went on, they kept finding matches, and it was the most amazing feeling ever despite what was actually going on. Or it was, at least, until December 24th when I opened the mailbox and there was a giant envelope from CDS. I went in my mom's room and wearily opened the letter and read it aloud. Reading that my brother's organs successfully were transplanted, as well as his pancreas for research, I began to cry and feel all warm inside.

This letter is for you, the two 50-something year olds who each received his heart and liver, the 30 and 40 year olds who each received a kidney, and the 20-something year old who received his lungs.

I am so, so glad that the transplants went well for you all, and I hope your recoveries are going well. It was amazing to learn a little bit about your lives through the two or three sentence paragraphs CDS gave us about you all. It's funny, but each of you are like my brother in some way or another. It's heart-warming to know that just because Andrew died, it didn't mean that you had to, too, and while I miss him tremendously, I am glad that you are alive.

I hope that one day I (and my family) will be able to meet you guys. One of you expressed interest in writing us, and just know that we will write you, too. My family and I are not bitter towards any of you in the slightest. Again, we are just so happy that Andrew could save so many people as well as help somebody see again.

Thank you for giving CDS a quote to write us; my mother and I appreciate it. Again, we hope to be able to hear from you for real one day. Continue to recover well, and Merry Christmas.

-Carey Shook