Emily Baker , Staff writer Midland Reporter Telegram

Jennifer Richardson and her husband are looking forward to starting a family after they thought she'd never be healthy enough to carry a baby.

If they have a son, they plan to assign "Adam" as his middle name.The person after whom "Adam" will be named was a 20-year-old from a town near Houston who died in a car accident. Richardson received one of Adam's kidneys and his pancreas.

Because Richardson's body is no longer suffering from diabetes and a resulting kidney failure due to Adam's organs, she can finally support a healthy pregnancy.

"That is the thing that has made the biggest difference for us," she said.
"I don't remember what it was like to not have diabetes. We had only been
married for six months before I went on dialysis."

About 27,000 people receive organ transplants in the United States each
year, said Pam Silvestri of the Southwest Transplant Alliance.

Two others were saved by Adam's organs. One received his other kidney, and
one received his liver.Though their lives have been spared, the fact someone died before they could receive the organs isn't far from Richardson's mind.
"I know a lot of recipients feel guilt after their transplant in the idea
that somebody died," Richardson said. "I started feeling that right before I
met (Adam's family). It was really hitting me hard. I realized that this
person was going to die anyway, but he saved my life."

One year after the transplant, Richardson met Adam's family and the recipient of Adam's liver. Adam's family held a memorial and celebration of his life and invited the organ recipients.

"When we first walked up (to the family's home), I was shaking I was so
nervous," Richardson said. "I wanted them to be proud that their son saved
my life. I wanted them to be proud of the person I am that their son
helped."

Almost 75 percent of families approached by Southwest Transplant Alliance
regarding organ donation agree to it, Silvestri said.

A majority of the remaining 25 percent decide against organ donation simply
because they don't know what their loved one wanted. Others aren't aware that health of an organ, rather than age, is considered to determine eligibility, or that a neat mid-line incision, rather than an erratic one, is used to obtain the organs, Silvestri said. Richardson said her family has decided to become organ donors. She feels daily the results of Adam's gift.

"I can do whatever I want," Richardson said. "My energy level is more than I
ever knew it could be. ... And now we can have a baby."