Stacy was born July 3,1980. She was a senior at Klein High school in Spring,Texas. She was beautiful, outgoing and had a great smile.She was as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. She wasn't perfect; she had a bit of a mischievous streak; but she was a good, loving, wonderful person who graced others with her presence. Stacy was one of those people who could light up a room with her smile. She had a gift for joy, a wonderful sence of humor and loved being around people. Stacy had a zest for living and lived life to the fullest. She loved white roses, taquitos from Whataburger and Mexican Pizza ( with no tomatoes) from Taco Bell. Stacy threw herself into life, savoring every moment she possibly could. She did a lot of living for one so young. This is what helped her parents make the decision to donate her organs. I had the joy of meeting her mother and sister at a candle lighting ceremony in rememberence of the organ donors from 1998. It was a beautiful ceremony and gave me time to reflect on what a great gift I received from Stacy.
I never met Stacy Marie Soltys. She was a loving daughter to Cheryl Soltys and Rick Soltys, a loving sister to Heather, girlfriend to T.J. and a friend to many! Stacy touched many lives in her short one, and saved many lives with her death. Stacy is an Organ Donor. I recieved Stacy's liver. Her heart went to a 76 year old man from Katy, Tx. Her right lung went to a 58 year old woman from Houston, The left kidney to a father of three from Houston and the right kidney to a 57 year old woman from Pennsylvania. She also donated tissue that will help burn patients,and bone to help people suffering from crippling diseases. Her corneas were to used to help restore sight to someone!
July 31,1999, a reunion (union) was held by Cheryl for the kidney, heart and liver recipients and thier family and friends with Stacy's family and friends. Over 100 people were there and we all had a wonderful time. A photographer from Good Housekeeping magazine was there to take pictures for the December issue which will feature all of us in an article.
At this party, Bob, Stacy's heart recipient asked Cheryl to listen to her (Stacy's) heart beating in his chest!! It gives this song," Her Heart Will Go On", a whole new meaning!!
We will be getting together in December for a more intimate celebration of the "Gift of Life"
UPDATE 3/29/2K
Christmas has come and gone. We had a great time together at my house in Lake Jackson. Cheryl gave us all a beautiful Hallmark blonde angel ornament that will be on my tree every year!! We have been making plans for Cheryl, her mom Ruth, Heather and Jacki to join my extended family for a cruise in June. We are all looking forward to that.
The Good Housekeeping article came out and was well received. We all signed each others copies at Christmas.
Yesterday, we were all on a local TV show. Debra Duncan Live! What a response. I understand that the phonelines into Life Gift were jammed with calls wanting information. That made us all feel great.
We are now talking about going national. What's next? Oprah? Rosie? Sally? Morey? We are ready!
More updates to follow
UPDATE 5/3/01
The cruise has come and gone.There were 33 of us including my 85 year old grandmother. We left from Miami 6/2/2000 and snorkled in Cozumel, swam with the stingrays in Grand Cayman and climbed Dunns River Falls in Ocho Rios. We were onboard Carnival's Triumph in it's maiden voyage year. The food and accomodations were more then we imagined.
On January 12,2001, Cheryl, Tommy (kidney), Bob (heart) and I met for a dinner reunion at The Spaghetti Warehouse in Houston. Bob was in town for his 3 year check up since he has moved back home to West Virginia. Our families joined us as we celebrated the Gift of Life that we recieved 3 years ago that day. Tommy was also celebrating his birthday! I got to join Cheryl this afternoon as we took white roses to the cemetary for Stacy. We are having a special "Girls Night Out" at Cheryl's house.
Will have more updates as things occur.
