Patient And Donor Family Reunites

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- A tragedy and a miracle have brought two families together. One family lives in the metro and the other in Kentucky.

They spent the weekend together in Oklahoma City to celebrate the two young people they have in common. They hope their stories will encourage Oklahomans to say "yes" to a life saving program.

If you have a driver's license, in the bottom corner is a little heart indicating if you are an organ donor. It is a program that can save lives, just like it has for a local 15-year-old.

This is only the second time for the Hibdon's and the Bogg's to come together. The last time was in July when 15-year-old Haylee Hibdon and her family went to Kentucky to say "thank you" for a life saving gift.

"It's been a very healing process for our family, actually coming together with them, it's helped us tremendously," family member Jeff Boggs said.

Jeff and Karen Boggs lost their 17-year-old son Dylan in a car wreck two years ago. They knew their tragedy could help others and donated Dylan's organs.

"I know what he would want, so when the time came, I guess there was really no question, we knew what he wanted," Jeff said.

Now Dylan lives through Haylee. It's been two years since she received her new liver.

Her feelings are just as raw today as the day she learned she would get a second chance at life.
Because of the transplant it would never seem the teenager once battled a rare liver condition.

"When you see the miracle of organ donation and how it can affect a young life, what a miracle and blessing it is," Leslie Hibdon said. "I would like to ask all Oklahomans to check that little card for the donor program, it's a great thing."

And the family that lost a son has gained a friend for life.

"That is one of the things you can't put into words, it's a feeling and a connection that our whole family has with Haylee," Jeff said.

Amazingly, Haylee was only in the INTEGRIS Nazih Suhdi Transplant Institute for five days after the transplant, and a week later she was out trick or treating.