Donor Services of Indiana

Gift of life

Carlos Lopez

Carlos was 18 years old when he died unexpectedly on
December 18, 2002. His mother, Celia describes Carlos as a
boy who liked to be on the go. He enjoyed being outside and
walked everywhere when he had the opportunity. He was
good with his hands and enjoyed working on cars. Carlos
enjoyed Mexican music and dancing. Carlos liked children
and children liked him.

Carlos enjoyed Mexican music and dancing. Carlos liked
children and children liked him.

He was especially fond of his 3-year old nephew, Augustine, who misses his uncle.
Carlos’ mother Celia states having Carlos be a tissue donor was fulfilling his desire to
help others. Carlos lives on through his gift of tissue donation.

Michael “Tom” Muchmore

Story shared by Tom's only sibling, his sister Jessi Melton:

Tom was raised in a very close family. Tom and I had become
very close in the final few years of his life.

Tom was 23 when he passed away. He led a very full life until
he died on October 9, 2002.

Tom had been avid about becoming a police officer as long as I
can remember.

He was able to complete his dream and was a police officer for several months before his
accident. Tom lives on through his gift of tissue donation.

Debbra Mosier

“My sister, Debbra died from a brain aneurysm in August 2001
at age 36. We made the decision to honor her wishes to be a
donor, in hope of helping others.

"Debbra was the hardest working, most creative, talented and
giving person you could ever hope to meet. She was a
wonderful friend -- she had the same best friend, Lynda, for 17
years. One of Debbra’s favorite hobbies was sewing and she
excelled at it. She loved flowers and plants and had started
gardening in her new home. She also loved animals -- especially
birds. A dream of hers was to someday own a Macaw bird.

Recipient stories

They Received the

Greatest Gift

Brianna Bolinger, Burn Survivor

Brianna was 3 years old
when she was involved in
an explosion of a barrel
containing gas fumes.
Brianna sustained full
thickness burns over 55
percent of her body.

Brianna was in the St.
Joseph Hospital Burn
Center from August 6 to
September 13, 2001.

Her mom, Mindy, says that Brianna went to surgery six times over a period of five
weeks. To help heal Brianna’s burns and to prevent infection, she received cadaver skin
transplants.

Brianna’s mom remembers the day she found out that donated skin is used as a temporary
covering for burn patients. “I was thinking what a gift these families have given to my
daughter".

Thank you to all donor families for making the decision to donate during your loss.”

Brianna enjoys dance class, baton twirling and playing with her friends.

Craig Everage, Burn Survivor

Craig Everage was 22 when he
sustained burns over 84 percent
of his body, of which 80 percent
were full thickness. On 17, 1997,
Craig was working in a garage on
his race car. The combination of
fumes from a gasoline spill and a
water heater caused an explosion.

He spent 123 days in St. Joseph Hospital’s Burn Center and Rehabilitation Unit. Craig says
he doesn’t remember too much about his stay in the Burn Center, except his desire to survive.
He underwent 20 surgeries requiring donated cadaver skin to assist in the healing process and
to protect him from infection.

Today, he owns a used-car dealership. He says his business gives him the opportunity to
work with two of his favorite things--people and cars.

Craig says he is grateful to the tissue donors and their families who saved his life. He states
that without them he would not have been given an “extra chance in life.”

She was a store director of a large pet store at the time of her death, and there was a
Macaw named “Walter” that she was extremely fond of. Debbra’s death was the most
difficult thing I have ever gone through, but I know that God is in control, and all things
work together for the good to those who love Him! Making the decision to donate was
difficult at the time, but I now find comfort in knowing that a part of her is still out there
making a difference in the world through other people.” -- Connie Stover, Debbra’s sister

D O N O R S E R V I C E S O F I N D I A N A