I'm a little choked up tonight.

About 2 1/2 years ago, I joined an online support group for people who either have had heart and/or lung transplants, or are on a waiting list. The stories of the recipients give a tremendous amount of hope for those who's lives are dependent on new organs.

Unfortunately, there are many obstacles in the way. Firstly, you must be a candidate - which means that the situation is dire, you fall into an appropriate age and you don't have any other major health issues.

After being added to the list, an individual can wait up to two years to receive an organ. The problem is that many people do not survive the wait.

One of the members of my support group had finally gotten the call that everyone on the waiting list hopes for. Donna Murray was admitted to St Luke's Hospital, in Jacksonville, Florida, exactly 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, it was too late. She passed away today at the young age of 42.

Aside from reading her posts, I really didn't know Donna. But from what I read, she was an optimistic, friendly person, who was very well liked by everyone. Always positive, she never had a discouraging thing to say about anyone.

This was not the first death of a group member and I'm sad to say it probably will not be the last. There just aren't enough available organs to fill the need. I say this with a certain amount of "survivor's guilt." I received my new heart just 7 weeks after my heart attack. Because of my age, the degree of illness, my rare blood type and sheer luck (better known as G-d's great gift), I really did not have long to wait. Plus, since I was so "out-of-it" from my stroke, I didn't give it that much thought.

A few minutes ago, I visited Donna's website. There was a life there. A life worth remembering.

I know I won't forget.