fbpx

‘Mary’s spirit will always live on, and it’s a beautiful thing’

Chad_Mary_3_Cropped

Chad Milton knows the spirit of his late wife lives on – he’s even heard proof.

A traffic accident claimed Mary Milton in 2016, shortly after the 43-year-old left their home to go to the gym. Mary was a registered donor, but Chad was skeptical of the process and hesitant, at first. He laid next to her, head on her chest, listening to her heart – which continued to beat strongly.

“Organ donation was something we didn’t agree on,” said Milton, 46, a truck driver from Grand Rapids. “I was a ‘no.’ I was 100 percent against it. It was because I just didn’t trust the process.

Mary, however, had been adamant that the decision to donate her organs was the right thing to do. He ultimately agreed with her wishes and said he was impressed with the respect and care shown throughout the process. He and his family were on hand when her heart was wheeled into a waiting ambulance.

Four years later, Chad Milton heard that heart beating again when he met Philip Acosta, whose life had been saved by Mary’s generous gift.

“To hear that heart again, after four years? It was amazing,” he said.

Acosta said the gift came in the nick of time. He was essentially being kept alive with a heart pump, and wondered, every day, how much time he had left.

“My heart was that bad,” he said. “There was no blood going through my system – and the pump was only temporary.”

Mary’s heart was the miracle Acosta needed. He said he’s recovered fully and has no ongoing health issues.

“I feel great. I don’t even feel like I had a heart transplant, to be honest,” he said.

Milton and Acosta started corresponding about a year after the transplant. Gift of Life Michigan encourages and facilitates communications between organ transplant recipients and donor families, but those communications are kept confidential until both sides decide they are ready. When they ultimately decided to meet, Acosta said he had no idea what he would say.

“What do you say to someone who has lost their wife, and now you have her heart?” he said.

They embraced, and Milton laid his head against Acosta’s chest, hearing the strong heat beating on.

“This is God’s work,” Milton said. “There’s a reason why it all came together the way it came together.”

They communicate regularly now, with Milton frequently sending texts or calling while he is on the road. Acosta said he is forever grateful for the gift; it is not the only reminder he carries of his second chance of life. He also keeps a photo of Chad and Mary and looks at it often.

“I don’t really know her, but I carry her everywhere I go,” Acosta said. “Every time I look at that I thank her and thank God that I’m still living.”

Milton said he hasn’t second-guessed his decision and is proud of Mary’s legacy of generosity and kindness.

“I hope Philip has a healthy life, and I hope that heart continues to beat strong every day for him,” Milton said. “Mary’s spirit will always live on – and it’s a beautiful thing.

Read More Posts
More than 100 staff at Munson Medical Center gathered to celebrate their upcoming Hospital of the Year Award - many of them came in on their day off to join the celebration.

Munson Medical Center Named Hospital of the Year by Gift of Life Michigan

Munson’s John Stanifer, MD and ICU Manager, Eric Jean also to be recognized. Gift of…

Read More
children holding hands

Can a Living Person Donate a Liver?

The liver is an important organ. It filters toxins out of your blood. You can’t…

Read More

Can You Donate Your Placenta?

The placenta is a one-of-a-kind organ that plays a significant role in pregnancy. It assists…

Read More
A happy family

What Tissue can be Donated?

There are several tissues that one can donate to save lives. This includes cornea, tendons,…

Read More
Dr. Bedi, Rachel Kuntzsch and Sarah Scantamburlo are new Gift of Life Governing Board members

Gift of Life Michigan announces new board members

New board members will bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the table Gift of Life…

Read More
2023 was a record year for Gift of Life Michigan with 578 organ donors and 1,858 tissue donors

Gift of Life Michigan smashes record for organ donors in 2023

More than 213,000 people join Donor Registry Gift of Life Michigan helped a record 578…

Read More
Scroll to Top