Health: Families Come Together To Celebrate 'Gift Of Life'
By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – It's a story of turning tragedy and loss into something positive.
The Gift of Life organ donation program is celebrating 40 years of saving lives.
Health reporter Stephanie Stahl has more on two Philadelphia families, once strangers, now united forever.
George Flocco and Cynthia London share a special bond and have become part of each other's extended families.
"You can't appreciate it until you're the person that it happens to you," said Flocco tearfully.
Seventeen years ago, George was dying. He needed a heart transplant. That's when Cynthia's 22-year -old son, Sipho, was shot and killed. The family donated his organs
"I made that decision because Sipho was so healthy. He was a strong, healthy person, he had a loving personality. He was just so full of life," recalled London.
Cynthia says it took years for her to feel strong enough to meet the person who received Sipho's heart.
"She gave me an opportunity to see my children grown and get married, and my grandkids," said Flocco.
George and his wife, Helen, bonded instantly with Cynthia.
"Cynthia wanted Sipho's life to count for something, and she wanted -- she saved so many people, she saved six people," said Helen Flocco.
One person can save up to eight lives and enhance fifty more.
Last year, Gift of Life coordinated 1,228 organ transplants locally from 447 donors, the highest number of organ donors ever.
George, who's 72 now, still gets choked up when he thinks about his second chance. For Cynthia, it's is another reminder of her son.
"Sipho was such a crybaby too," said London.
"That's his heart crying for you. That's his heart," said Flocco.
Cynthia and George now volunteer for Gift of Life and at the Family House for families of transplant patients.
They share a simple message of giving and living:
"This heart doesn't know anything. As far as what religion you are, what color you are, he only thing this heart know is red, red blood, that's all it's worried about," said Flocco.
For more info, visit: www.donors1.org
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