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SALT LAKE CITY -- Two families are celebrating what they call a Christmas miracle, with a mother and a father receiving another chance at life.
Several people are told each year they need an organ transplant to continue living, but most of them have to wait on an organ donation list before a successful procedure can be performed. For two Utah families, the call came quicker than they had ever imagined.
At approximately 7 p.m. Friday night, two families received great news. Diane Atwood, 62, and Dwight Osborn, 64, received separate calls, informing them an organ was ready for them. Doctors told them to be at University Hospital by 8:30 p.m. that night to prepare for surgery.
Atwood's son, Ryan, said his mother was diagnosed with lung disease three years ago. "The chance that she has tonight, I mean you just can't beat it," Ryan Atwood said. "It's Merry Christmas. Wow. I'm beside myself."
"I thought she was going to die during the surgery," said Diane Atwood's daughter Brenda Skinner. "I didn't think she was going to make it, so I was kind of preparing for her to leave."
But Atwood's husband, Earl, said he knew the woman he married over 40 years ago is a fighter.
The chance that she has tonight, I mean you just can't beat it. It's Merry Christmas. Wow. I'm beside myself.
–Ryan Atwood
"(She's) feisty. That's why we're not worried about her. If anybody can do this, she can," Earl Atwood said laughing.
As for Dwight Osborne, before doctors diagnosed him with a deadly lung disease two years ago, he ran about 20 marathons and led a healthy lifestyle. However, he too, was fighting for his life. He had been on the donor list for about three weeks.
Now, both families have received a Christmas gift, but there is still a long road ahead of them, with medication that can be a real financial burden.
Osborn's family set up a blog asking for donations to help pay for the post- transplant medication that will cost approximately $3000-5000 a month. None of the medication is covered by their insurance.
"The family of the donor, a time of loss for them like that, I mean, for what it is for us, the appreciation and gratitude is unbelievable," said Dustin Atwood.
"Because of the generosity of this donor, two people at least get a chance to live longer," said Earl Atwood.
Earlier Saturday, Osborn's family said he had to have a heart lung bypass that went well. His family said he had some complications during surgery, but is doing well so far.
Email: niyamba@ksl.com
