Family Reunion: Watch Michigan Organ Recipients Meet Donor’s Family

A very special - and unique - family reunion took place in Linden, as two families had the opportunity to meet the family of a woman who helped give their loved ones new life.

Giving New Life Through Organ Donation

Suzanne Karrer died suddenly of a brain aneurysm. She was just 53 years old.

Her husband and daughter tell WNEM-TV 5 that Suzanne is "still shining her light."

"She was always a person who wanted to give and serve others, and I think this is her greatest legacy," Martin Karrer said. "And she had such an amazing impact on people."

Martin and his daughter joined the people who received Suzanne's heart and lungs at the home of one of the recipients in Linden.

A New Lease on Life

Carla Bussell was on the waiting list to receive new lungs for six years.

"Without my lungs, I wouldn’t have never made it. I wouldn’t be here today," she said. "I’ve gotten to see my grandchildren be born and to watch them grow. All that would not have been possible without that transplant."

Gloria Kirshman of Linden received Karrer's heart. She had been on the transplant list for a year and a half and recognizes that her donor's family suffered a tremendous loss.

"I would pray for their family because I know that what’s happy for my family was, there’s another family grieving," Kirshman tells the TV station.

The three families shared tears of joy as they got to know each other Friday (7/19). Watch the video from WNEM below.