Denise Miles keeps a photo of Heath Eiland on her cell phone. Although she never met him, the 16 year old gave her a new chance at life thanks to a new heart.
Miles traveled from her home in San Antonio to meet Heath's parents for the first time at their church in North Austin.
When Heath died in a skateboarding accident in May 2011, his parents made the decision to donate his organs.
"Heath looked out for people, he loved people, and he would love the idea of helping people spend more time to have one more day with their families," said Rebecca Eiland, Heath's mother.
Six people received Heath's organs, and his family met two of them Sunday--including Chris Mendez. He waited a year and three months for a liver transplant, and is alive today because of Heath.
"It literally is a miracle that can change someone's life, not only to prolong it, but make it completely better as in my case," said Mendez.
Heath's parent say several of his friends are now signed up to be organ donors too.
"It's a wild thing when you think that someone else has your son's liver, has your son's heart, has your son's lungs," said Rebecca Eiland. "But at the same time when you look beyond that ,you look at the lives. What better gift is there than the gift of love and life? "
If you want to sign up to be an organ donor, check out Donate Life Texas's website for more information.
