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George Argentino

George Argentino

Thanks to the generous donation of a cornea, I can look forward to regaining vision in my left eye. I am in my late forties and have been suffering from keratoconus, a degenerative cornea disorder, for most of my life. I have had extremely low vision in my left eye for as long as I can remember.

I’m in sales, inventory management with a large territory and drive an extensive amount. Vision is crucial for my employment. In addition to working full-time, I am a husband and loving father of a late twenty’s stepson as well as a teenage daughter, who we are currently preparing for college.

I was diagnosed with keratoconus approximately two years ago, but the doctor said I’ve most likely had this disease since I was a teenager. The keratoconus was continuing to deteriorate my cornea and my options remained extremely limited. Needless to say, I had my diseased cornea removed in September.

George Argentino and Family

While the surgery went perfectly, I was saddened when I began to think of the gift I was given. How is it fair that a family can have their heart ripped from them? Should I benefit from their grief? I am amazed at the compassion and benevolence exhibited by my donor’s family in having the forethought to consider organ, eye and tissue donation. To think of saving and helping others in a time of deep sorrow shows real courage and true selflessness. I thank them for it and truly consider their gift the greatest I will ever receive.

I promise to honor the memory of my donor as long as I live. I promise to live my life to the fullest and seek out new opportunities and great adventures. With my eyes I will see all there is to see. My donor will see what I see, and I will think of them every step of the way. We may never meet, but I consider my donor and their family a part of my family. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.