Organ Donor's Family Meets Heart Recipient

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Organ Donor's Family Meets Heart Recipient
Play Media
Reported by: Lauren Lea, KARK 4 News

Saturday, Jun 7, 2008 @06:39pm CST

An Arkansas woman says she's alive today because of a Searcy man's decision to give the gift of life.
Saturday, Linda Paulsen expressed her gratitude to Matt Billings' family.
She received his heart more than three years ago.
The Billings and Paulsen families greeted each other like long-lost relatives, but they'd never met.
Even so, the two share an unshakable connection.

"I was so excited and so nervous to meet her because I was wondering what does she look like what is she like, and just relieved and happy to get to finally meet her,” Margena Billings said.

Matt Billings died in a motorcycle accident three years ago, but out of tragedy, came joy.
His heart saved Linda Paulsen's life.
"The connection that I feel is that I wouldn't be here if it wasnt for them,” she said.

Matt's wife, Margena shared photos and memories with Paulsen today.
"I really wanted to know who got his heart because he was such a good person. That was really important, that she knows. And I told her, that he was a good hearted person and he cared about everybody,” Margena said.
"It's just amazing to me. I can tell he was a very kind and very caring and very giving person, Paulsen said.

Paulsen says she simply wanted to say thank you.
"I've had some ups and downs, had some real serious bumps in the roads with my health but it was not because of my heart. In fact it was probably because of my heart that I got through these illnesses,” she said.
About 300 Arkansans are on the waiting list and about one million are registered but only about one percent will be eligible to become organ donors.
"Only a small percentage of people will die in a manner that will make them eligible to be organ donors. A greater number who die will be eligible to be tissue donors. But its important to be able to have enough people to be considered,” said Audrey Brown, with Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency.

And that's why both women encourage everyone to give the gift of life. Several of Matt's other organs, including his liver, pancreas, intestines and kidneys, were also donated. None of the other recipients has contacted her.


http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/?cid=71434