Donor's mother meets lung recipient in emotional reunion

Texas Organ Sharing Alliance arranges meetup

SAN ANTONIO – What ended in tragedy for one family gave the gift of life to another.

Casey Ross, a San Antonio doctor, was shot and killed last year by her husband last March in a murder-suicide.

Ross was an organ donor, and Tuesday, the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance arranged a reunion between Ross' mother and the recipient of Ross’ lungs.

Donna Austin, Ross’ mother, met Norma Jean Espinoza, who received Ross’ lungs after suffering from cystic fibrosis her entire life.

“Up until about two to three years ago, it suddenly hit me ... I wound up on oxygen, and I couldn't take 10 to 15 steps without getting exhausted or tired,” Espinoza said.

The families are already planning a reunion of sorts.

“She’s going to get to meet my grandkids, Casey’s kids, in time. You know, when they're ready,” Austin said.

Espinoza waited about three months on the transplant list when she suddenly got the call the day after Ross died. The doctors told her they found the perfect match.

“My daughter never smoked. She was a runner. She took great care of herself. I feel these lungs are going to last a while,” Austin said.

With the new lungs, Espinoza has a new lease on life. She even took a vacation to Florida and went swimming for the first time since childhood.

“The little basic things that no one pays attention to, I can appreciate now,” she said.

Although her daughter’s life was taken from her, Austin said Ross’ legacy is the lives she saved and continues to save.

“Somebody out there is walking around with her heart. Somebody is walking around with her liver, and Norma has got her lungs. I couldn't be happier. There's got to be a silver lining and that's it,” Austin said.

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