The Gift of Life: Daryl Fennell’s Story of Resilience, Gratitude, and Organ Donation

Each April, during National Donate Life Month, we pause to reflect on the extraordinary impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation. For our colleague Daryl Fennell, this isn’t just a cause—it’s a deeply personal journey marked by resilience, gratitude, and the ultimate gift of life.

I used to be a fitness fanatic—working out five days a week, eating fairly well, and doing everything I believed would keep me strong and healthy. But in the summer of 2019, something felt off. I started experiencing intermittent fevers, a loss of appetite, and gradual weight loss. At the time, my symptoms eerily mirrored what we’d later associate with COVID-19—though the pandemic had yet to begin.

Over the next few months, I bounced between specialists searching for answers. Could it be cancer? Something else? My condition worsened, and I began having difficulty breathing. Painful ulcers developed on my fingertips. That’s when things took a serious turn. A family friend, who worked as a nurse manager at UPenn, urged me to seek care there. She believed their team could help.

In January 2020, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called MDA5, also known as dermatomyositis. My immune system was attacking my lungs—and it was happening fast. Just a few weeks later, on February 28, 2020, I received a lung transplant.

It was a surreal experience. A part of me believed I could beat this on my own—that my body was strong enough to fight it off. When the doctors told me they had found a match, I was overwhelmed. I felt hope—for myself and for my family—but I also knew this was just the beginning of a long, difficult road ahead.

Recovery hasn’t been easy. I’ve since developed renal failure and currently undergo dialysis three times a week. Travel is limited, plans are restricted—but through it all, my wife Rebecca has been by my side. In an incredible act of love, she chose to become a living kidney donor for someone else, since we weren’t a direct match. That selfless gift moved me to the top of the transplant list. Sometimes I feel I’ve robbed her of a “normal” life—but her unwavering love quells those feelings.

Organ donation gave me a second chance at life. It’s not lost on me that this opportunity came at a cost—someone else’s life was shortened which in turn extended mine. I carry that truth with reverence. My way of honoring their sacrifice is to live with purpose, to tell my story, and to encourage others to consider becoming donors.

Just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and 75 or more through tissue donation. Yet, misconceptions persist. Some people believe that being a registered donor might impact the level of care they receive. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Medical teams always do everything possible to save your life. Donation is only considered after every effort has been exhausted.

When it comes to living donation, many people are surprised to learn that the recipient’s insurance typically covers all medical costs. There are also incredible organizations, like Gift of Life Howie’s House in Philadelphia, that support donor families with lodging, travel assistance, and emotional care. Donor safety is always the highest priority.

This National Donate Life Month, I hope my story inspires just one more person to register as a donor. That one decision could be the most powerful gift you ever give.

For someone like me, it truly is the gift of life.