When Joseph Helfgot passed away in April of 2009, his widow Susan turned the devastating loss into a medical miracle by donating his kidneys, his liver, his heart and one more amazing gift ... his face. Susan, 55, recalls the moment she learned she could make the life-changing donation. "This wonderful woman from the New England Organ Bank came," she tells Rachael, "and said, 'I need to ask you something really difficult.' And I’m thinking, 'What on earth could this woman want?' And I said, to make a joke, 'Don’t tell me you want my husband’s Jewish nose ...' and she gasped. And right away I knew I was right."

For Jim, 61, receiving the donation turned his life around. After a 2005 fall from a Boston subway platform onto the third rail caused extensive burns to his face, Jim was left with a large hole from the bridge of his nose to the lower part of his jaw. Living life as a recluse to avoid curious stares, Jim was given a second chance at a normal life with Susan's donation of her late husband's face, in what was only the second face transplant to be performed in the United States. "I'm just forever grateful to Susan," Jim says. "It's just given me my confidence back. I don't have to worry about turning my head or avoiding people."

Susan confirms that her husband would be proud to know he was able to help a fellow human being in such a way. "I know that Joseph would be just thrilled to know that this was all happening," she smiles. To read more about this story, check out Susan's book, The Match.

Related Links

"The Match" by Susan Whitman Helfgot

Brigham and Women's Hospital