Pete Klinkhammer was a social worker for more than two decades before he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

ALS is a progressive degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the body’s brain and spinal cord. As these cells become damaged or die, the person may lose the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe. 

George Surratt is profoundly grateful for the life-saving gifts of organ donation. He underwent two life-saving transplants at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center. In 2013, primary sclerosing cholangitis severely damaged his liver, and a transplant from a deceased organ donor saved his life. Nearly nine years later, the anti-rejection medication needed for his liver led to kidney damage, requiring a second transplant.

“I got lucky twice,” Surratt said. “I want people to realize that, as donors, they can be a hero for someone like me.”