Tonya was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was just 9 months old. The disease took over her life – she could not laugh without getting a coughing spell, she fought exhaustion to stay awake and she wore oxygen 24 hours a day because her lung function dropped to 19%. She feared she would die before a transplant would be available, and that she would not be around for her 2-year-old son, Eric, or her husband, Mario.
But on May 25, 2004, Tonya received a life-saving double lung transplant. Taking her first deep breath after her transplant is something that she will never forget. Since then, Tonya has met her donor family, and she said she lives every day like her donor, Adam, is watching.
“I’m honoring Adam by taking care of the lungs I’ve been given. I received this gift, and I feel compelled to share it with everybody,” Tonya said.
Tonya serves as Board of Directors President for Team Ohio Transplant Athletics, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Donate Life Transplant Games of America, a biennial Olympic-style competition for transplant recipients that showcases the power of organ donation.
Subscribe to WTOL 11 - [ Ссылка ]
Connect with us on social media:
Go 419 Facebook - [ Ссылка ]
Facebook - [ Ссылка ]
Twitter - [ Ссылка ]
Instagram - [ Ссылка ]
WTOL 11 newsletter - [ Ссылка ]
WTOL 11 News app - [ Ссылка ]
WTOL 11 Weather app - [ Ссылка ]
