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Sep 30, 2009 8:03 pm US/Central
Women Bonded By Heart Transplant Meet In Grapevine
GRAPEVINE (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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Cpl. Benjamin Kopp died in Afghanistan, but Judy Meikle of Chicago received his heart.
CBS
Each year some 2,000 Americans receive heart transplants. But nearly twice that number remains on the transplant waiting list each year. Fate brought two North Texas women together and Wednesday they finally met in Grapevine.
Jill Stephenson is a Minnesota single mother who lost her only son, but she says the decision to donate life was easy. And today a woman, saved by Stephenson's son, wanted to say thanks.
They traveled hundreds of miles, from different states, to meet each other. "We've talked a bit and exchanged emails," Stephenson said.
Stephenson lost her 22 year-old son, Corporal Benjamin Kopp two months ago. The U.S. Army Ranger and two-time Iraqi war veteran was fatally wounded while saving his unit in Afghanistan.
Before ever going to war Benjamin talked to his mom about why he signed another line on the back of his driver's license. "He wanted to be an organ donor and there was never a hesitation on his part," recalled Stephenson.
The meeting at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine is a day 57-year-old Judy Meikle almost didn't live to see. "I don't know if I'd be alive," said the Chicago woman.
Meikle says she woke up one day and had trouble breathing. It turns out she had a heart defect and needed a transplant.
Wednesday's union/reunion was the first time Benjamin's mom and the owner of his heart had met.
If not for Cpl. Kopp's 'brave heart' 75 other people wouldn't have received various tissues and organs.
Meikle and Stephenson say they share a bond and life-long connection that makes them family. The two say Wednesday's meeting is the first of many more to come.
Last year more than 450 people died while awaiting heart transplants. The Southwest Transplant Alliance is encouraging North Texans to sign up as organ donors.
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