NANCY JIVIDEN

Nancy Jividen’s son, Shane, loved to ride his motorcycle. He was an avid outdoorsman and served as a volunteer firefighter in his West Virginia community for more than 20 years. She says he would help anyone in need. That’s why when Shane passed away tragically in an ATV crash, not only was she not surprised that her son was a registered organ donor, but she was also inspired to follow his example.

“They brought me an eight-by-ten piece of paper showing he was an organ donor,” she says. “And I said, ‘Well Shane, I’m going to be an organ donor, too.’”

Months after Shane’s passing, Nancy received a letter from the man who regained his sight through Shane’s donated corneas. By chance, and as a lesson that a donor’s generosity could heal someone who’s not a stranger, the recipient turned out to be one of Nancy’s coworkers at Walmart: John Shuman. Today, the pair share a close bond that extends far beyond their workplace.