This is the story of Twyla Doyle-O’Reilly, in her own words.
Dear Caring Friend;
Your support of St. Paul’s Foundation truly does give hope to people like me!
My brother, Fenton, had a rare and incurable muscular disorder called amyloidosis. While he received excellent care at St. Paul’s Hospital, the disease eventually destroyed his heart to the point where his only chance was a transplant.
A heart became available in early December 2010, but wasn’t a match. You can imagine our disappointment! Then, on December 31st, Fenton received notification that another heart was available. He called me because I live just minutes away. Feeling very anxious, we went to the hospital to see if this heart would be a match.
Because we’d just been through the process earlier that month, I knew we would be waiting for a while. So I ran across the street to get the newspaper so we could share a crossword puzzle to help us pass the time. I kept praying for a miracle – that the heart would be a match for my dear brother. As I walked back across the street, I paused for a moment and closed my eyes to make one more desperate prayer.
Would you believe, that when I opened my eyes, the words “Lights of Hope” lit up in a brilliant display on the outside of St. Paul’s Hospital?! It was the sign I’d been looking for. And when I ran back to tell Fenton about what happened, he said, “Guess what? I’m getting a new heart on New Year’s Day!”
Hope is a wonderful thing. Fenton got a new heart and a new year of hope. It was truly a miracle! My precious brother lived another five and a half years before the amyloidosis ended his life. He was so grateful for the care he received that he left a gift in his will to St. Paul’s Foundation.
Your caring support of St. Paul’s gives patients like Fenton – and loved ones like me – hope in difficult times! You give comfort and joy to patients during the holidays, when it can be especially tough to be in hospital. I hope you’ll make a gift to the Lights of Hope campaign today.
Thank you!
Twyla Doyle-O’Reilly