| |
|
| |
Angelique and her husband, McKinley |
Seventeen years ago, Angelique Marseille found herself lying in a hospital bed dying of liver failure and wondering how and why it was happening to her. Today, she is married, a mother of two children, a Donate Life Illinois volunteer, a chapter leader for Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network’s African-American Task Force, and a 17-year liver recipient.
Angelique was 23-years-old and a third year college student when she was diagnosed with end-stage liver failure due to Idiopathic Autoimmune Cirrhosis. At the time, she was given 10 days or less to live without a transplant. Like it would for most people, the devastating news caused her anger, depression and fear. “ I was so scared, angry and confused as to why this was happening to me. I thought, ‘I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs and I am a pretty good person, so why me?’” Angelique questioned.
As the next few days passed and she grew sicker, she educated herself about donation and transplantation. “I fought hard every day not to lose hope,” Angelique said. “My family came to the hospital and prayed with me to keep my spirits up, but as time passed, I could see the sadness and worry on their faces, especially my twin sister’s.”
| |
 |
| |
Angelique enjoying life with her husband and two sons |
Days later, she received the gift of hope when her donor’s family said, “yes” to donation. “I was lethargic. My eyes and the inside of my mouth were yellow, I was full of toxic fluids, and I had a rash all over my body,” Angelique described. “When I awoke from surgery, I immediately felt great. My eyes cleared, and my sense of smell was amazing – I smelled roses from across the hall and it was wonderful. I started making plans for my future for the first time since I had been in the hospital.”
Since her transplant, Angelique married the man who stood by her side through her illness, McKinley, and now has two healthy sons, Maliq and Yusef. “My husband was my boyfriend during the time I became ill. A lot of men would have run, but he was there through it all; he is my saving grace.”
“Angelique is amazing,” said Jack Lynch, Director of Community Affairs at Gift of Hope. “She has not taken her gift for granted. She uses her story to create awareness and inspire everyone around her.”
| |
 |
| |
Angelique giving back by volunteering |
For more than six years, Angelique has been giving back by volunteering for Donate Life Illinois and Gift of Hope’s African-America Task Force. “I volunteer because I know there are people who have no idea that there is a great need for donated organs, tissues and blood,” Angelique explained. “I am committed to creating awareness and providing education to the African-American community. There are so many myths that keep African-Americans from donating. I want to reach out to people before donation or transplantation becomes an urgent issue in their family or community.”
Although Angelique is involved in multiple volunteer efforts, her favorite outreach projects include sharing her story and the critical message to churches and schools. “I enjoy the high school programs because I am out there educating an entire new generation about the impact they can make.”
“African-Americans make up 30 percent of all patients waiting for a transplant,” Lynch explained. “Volunteers like Angelique are empowering the African-American community to make a difference by educating them about the lifesaving powers they have. We are all so very grateful for her commitment to donation.”
One transplant, 17 years, one marriage, two children, and countless hour volunteering later, Angelique is grateful every step of the way to her donor, donor family and the gift of hope she received.
To become a Donate Life Illinois volunteer or to register to become an organ/tissue donor, visit www.giftofhope.org.
|
