08/23/2026
“I was born with a rare genetic condition called Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS), a form of albinism that causes a bleeding disorder, legal blindness and in some cases, pulmonary fibrosis. Fifteen years ago, I developed pulmonary fibrosis and over time, it slowly took away my ability to breathe, work and live the life I loved.
Because of my platelet dysfunction and the many transfusions I received over the years, my body developed antibodies that made finding a compatible donor especially difficult. I had to wait for the perfect match. My lungs were deteriorating faster than anyone expected. The hope of receiving a transplant was slipping away, and my family and medical team had begun discussing hospice care. Then, when we were almost out of hope, a miracle happened: I received the call that a matching donor had been found. In what felt like the darkest moment of my life, my donor gave me the greatest gift imaginable – the gift of life.
There is not a single day that passes that I do not think about my donor and their family. I often reflect on the courage, generosity and selflessness it must have taken to make such a profound decision during a time of unimaginable loss. While the family was experiencing heartbreak, they chose to give others a chance to live. Because of my donor, I have been given more time with my husband, my children and the people I love the most. I can help care for my elderly mother, enjoy family gatherings, celebrate milestones and create memories I never thought I would have the opportunity to make. I have even been able to return to a job I love and it brings meaning and purpose to my life.
No words can truly express the depth of my gratitude. My donor lives through the lives they saved, including mine. I carry that gift with me every day and I strive to honor it by living fully, loving deeply and making a difference wherever I can.” –Carmen Camacho, Lung Recipient. 💙💚 Thank you to New England Donor Services for sharing this story with us!
