Written from the Heart: Ten Years of Gratitude

Written on the 10th anniversary of her lifesaving heart transplant, Samantha Denti’s letter reflects a decade of love, gratitude, and life made possible through the gift of organ donation. Her reflection captures the deep connections, joyful milestones, and everyday moments she was able to experience because of a generous donor’s legacy.

"My daughter, Samantha Denti died in June of 2025 at the age of 40 years & 1 month. Sam received the miracle of a heart transplant, at the very last minute, on 9/28/2013 at the age of 28. While going through her writings and journals, our family would like to share a letter that she wrote on her 10 year heart transplant anniversary. She never found out who the donor was, but she was always so thankful."

—Laura, mother of heart recipient Sam

Date: Thu, Sep 28, 2023 by Sam

"Ten. I have had 10 extra years to laugh nonstop with my amazing friends. I have been able to dance at their weddings, hold their newborn babies, crush it at game nights, be the crazy fun aunt to their little ones, and just lay on their couches and watch movies and talk about life.

In the last 10 years I have had a front row seat in watching my nephew grow up from an adorable ball busting little fella to a respectful and witty young man. I have taught him, as well as RJ and Vinny how to drive. I have had the honor to watch RJ and Vinny graduate high school, college, the Army and Law School. I have adored my lunch dates with them as they come to me for advice on girls, life or just to laugh at my ridiculous stories. I have cherished the extra time I got with the three first loves of my life.

I have been blessed with an entire decade more to make unbelievable memories with my phenomenal family. We have laughed so hard together we literally cry, and we have supported one another in heartbreak and loss. I got to drink countless glasses of sangria with my sweet grandma and I got to hold her hand as she gained her angel wings. I have built up even more of a special relationship with my two aunts who truly have been more like a mom squad to me. I have laughed the hardest with my big brother who gives me more confidence then he will ever know.

I have been told a lot in the last ten years that I am so much like my mother, which is the highest compliment I could ever receive because my mom is truly the strongest human being I have ever known. She has been my biggest advocate, my voice of reason, my number one supporter and my very best friend. How to be a leader, how to have an organized plan A, B and C, how to be a hard worker and how a sense of humor can get you through anything — are all things I have learned through her actions in these last ten years.

I have learned in the last ten years that the best things come when you least expect it. Because of that, I had the chance to meet the love of my life and truly get my happy ever after with Lindsay. I get to come home to her and the boys and receive unconditional love in a house that is full of laughter, a crazy puppy, donut fairies, snuggles, jokes, dance parties in the kitchen and a jammed packed schedule that I love every second of with my little family.

I have turned a “I wish I would have done” list into a “to do” list because I am a firm believer that there is no point in a second chance at life if I’m not going to live it to the fullest. And this beautiful life I get to live is all thanks to a selfless stranger who said yes to being an organ donor. To this stranger who saved my life- I love you, I appreciate you and I vow to make the next decade just as beautiful and meaningful as this last 10 years have been! Thank you."