It is January 1994 and Catina (Albright) Klingenberg is working one of her two jobs for the evening. She has not been feeling well however, her work ethic will not allow her to call in sick. She isn't able to finish her shift and leaves to go home and talk to her parents. They decide to take her to the emergency room and after many tests they are no further than where they started. She is still bleeding and even the dr.'s are uncertain as to why. Many options are thrown out; AIDS, Lupus or even Leukemia. No one knew what the problem was just that she was not well.

It was amazing to the 18 year old girl with her future ahead of her as to what this would bring. She was a student, working two jobs and living her life to the fullest. She had tons of friends and was enjoying the holiday break before returning for the semester. Her parents decided, after no true diagnosis and being sent home from the hospital that there had to be answers. They drove 4 hours straight from one hospital in Illinois where Tina was discharged from to Iowa City, IA. The University of Iowa hospitals had been mentioned to her family and they decided to see what they could find out for their daughter. Tina spent three weeks at University of Iowa and still no one could determine what the problem was, every diagnosis was "possible" or maybe, nothing definitive.

After her time was up at Iowa City her family decided to try another route, University of Illinois at Chicago. UIC was the next step what could they tell her that no one else hadn't? They finally had a diagnosis, Liver Failure. No one had any idea as to what had caused it however, they knew her liver was failing and was only operating at minimal levels. What had this young girl done to have this happen? Why her?

Tina would never ask that question, she just wanted to know what could be done to fix it. They gave 2-5 years to live, not a lot of time for an 18 year old. She and her mother decided they needed time, time to think and decide if this was the only answer or what their other options were. They decided to visit family, February of 1994, Tina and her mother traveled to family in Arizona. While they were away her mother began processing the mail that had accumulated during their medical travels. One of the letters was from the Dr.'s at University of Iowa, the time line had changed, and Tina had 6 months to live.

At that time Iowa, in order to be placed on the list for an organ transplant the procedure had to be paid in full. Her family and friends began fundraising; we did everything possible to secure funds to get Tina a liver. Tina continued to live the "normal" life. She had taken the semester off of school however, continued to work 2 jobs to pass the time and to focus on something aside from the illness.

As time passed, it was easy to forget that Tina was sick. On the Fourth of July, 1994 we watched the fireworks from Zearing Park in Princeton, IL. It was a blast, I was home for summer break from college and we had a great summer. Then the call came, July 15, 1994 a liver was available. Tina and her family made it to the hospital in time and a record was set in her liver transplant surgery, 3 and 1/2 hours.

However, with the lightening speed a few things occurred. After one week in the hospital Tina experienced rejection and a massive staph infection. This lasted approximately 4-5 weeks before Tina was able to go home.

Once she was home her mother shared some news. During and around the time of the surgery there were whisperings in the halls about the donor family and that is was a 12 year old boy. Shortly after their return home a hospital newsletter came out with a donor's family story. It was the mother of the 12 year old boy and how his wish was fulfilled after the tragic accident. This young boy had a friend who had been a recipient of a donated organ and had stated to his family and friends that he wanted to be an organ donor. Once the accident occurred his family knew what they had to do.

Tina's mother was able to obtain the name of the mother and located her in Iowa. She made contact and they were able to communicate and establish a relationship, it was frowned upon from the hospitals perspective however, it was what worked for their families. They shared dinner and letters between the two and Christmas cards around the holidays.

What has happened to Tina? She is now a wife and mother of two children. She is happy, healthy and in the best place she could be. Her son, shares the same name (middle name) of the young boy who saved her life. She never will be able to thank the family and the young boy for their gift of life but, she daily is an example of the great things that organ donation can bring. If you are ever blessed to meet Tina you will be inspired to do more, see more and be more than you ever imagined.