Stories of Hope

Rhonda

Kidney & Pancreas Recipient / LANDER, WY

“My donor saved two other people that night –my kidney brother as I call him, Salvador, and my liver brother, Phil. And, I know she changed the lives of many others that same night in October of 2000 with her gifts. I think of her, and thank her every day.”

When she was 17-years-old, Rhonda Hill was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and told that most diabetics of her severity do not live past 40. However, thanks to the selfless gift of an organ donor, Rhonda’s life began at 40.

Though she continued to live a full life, give birth to her son Corey, and pursue a passion for horses, Rhonda was put on dialysis when her kidneys began to fail in her 30s. Day-to-day life became a struggle as she often awoke in the middle of the night to combat low blood sugar with the assistance of her parents, young son, and many times, local EMTs.

Toward the end of a particularly discouraging day in October of 2000, Rhonda got the call she had been waiting on for 18 months –the one that told her a stranger’s end-of-life decision would give her a second chance to live. Rhonda said she realized that although it was “possibly the happiest day of her life, it had quite possibly been the saddest for someone else.”

For the past 15 years, with a new kidney and pancreas, Rhonda has advocated for organ donation, worked with developmentally disabled adults, and enjoyed the outdoors as much as possible. She relishes the time she now has with her husband, son and family, including her four horses and two dogs – all without the confines of juvenile diabetes, or dialysis.

Become a Donor

By joining the Donate Life Wyoming Donor Registry, you can be someone’s hero. One heroic choice can save and heal lives.

Become a Donor

By joining the Donate Life Wyoming Donor Registry, you can be someone’s hero. One heroic choice can save and heal lives.