Special education teachers at Huron High School in New Boston, Michigan met with students on Wednesday to make blankets for the organ donor’s families.
Jackie Dennis had just given birth in 2020, when her health went downhill. After just over a month on life support, doctors began preparing for a double lung transplant.
“They found someone to match, then the surgeon did their job and I woke up with my donor’s lungs,” Dennis said.
She said double lung transplants were the first for Henry Ford Health during the pandemic. Over the years since the surgery, she recovered well and learned about the family of the lung donor.
“I’m lucky enough to be able to send pictures of my daughter, I can send pictures of what my students are doing. It’s so beautiful to see the impact my daughter has had on me and her little sister,” Dennis said.
On Wednesday, Dennis and Huron High School students gathered to create a comfortable blanket for the organ donor’s families. She said the gift of a new lung brought her joy, but it also caused losses to another family.
“It’s so important and I don’t think they’ll ever know how big of an impact it will have,” Dennis said.
Riley Lambert, one of the Huron High School students who helped organize Wednesday’s event, said it means a lot to her that many of her fellow classmates wanted to help.
“She’s such a kind person and I’m really pleased that the entire student community has stepped up to help her,” Lambert said.
Dennis said for the donor’s family there, “I’m lucky to have that relationship, but for those who aren’t, I just know that the donor is so grateful.”
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