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!["Just make sure you're a donor," said Stephanie Dye said. 'It's the last act of kindness people can do on earth. How would you want to be remembered?"
On Dec. 9, 2004, Tom Dye underwent a heart transplant. Every year thereafter, the family celebrates "Tom's Heart Day" with a heart tree celebration for family and friends. The 2007 celebration took on an even more poignant tone, as Tom and Judy Dye's daughter, Stephanie, celebrated her own successful heart transplant.\
Stephanie received her new heart on "09-08-07," as her mother, Judy, likes to put it. Both father and daughter received their new hearts at Tampa General Hospital, becoming what is believed to be the country's only father-daughter dual heart transplants in the United States. The family, including brother, Daniel, a Bloomingdale High School freshman, is committed to raising awareness of the need for organ, tissue, and bone donors. Family and friends say the Dye's courage under fire should be an inspiration to all.](http://www.mypapernow.com/Other/The-Dye-Family-Of-Valrico/i-GkxFMnc/1/Ti/Steph%202-Ti.jpg "\"Just make sure you're a donor,\" said Stephanie Dye said. 'It's the last act of kindness people can do on earth. How would you want to be remembered?\"
On Dec. 9, 2004, Tom Dye underwent a heart transplant. Every year thereafter, the family celebrates \"Tom's Heart Day\" with a heart tree celebration for family and friends. The 2007 celebration took on an even more poignant tone, as Tom and Judy Dye's daughter, Stephanie, celebrated her own successful heart transplant.\
Stephanie received her new heart on \"09-08-07,\" as her mother, Judy, likes to put it. Both father and daughter received their new hearts at Tampa General Hospital, becoming what is believed to be the country's only father-daughter dual heart transplants in the United States. The family, including brother, Daniel, a Bloomingdale High School freshman, is committed to raising awareness of the need for organ, tissue, and bone donors. Family and friends say the Dye's courage under fire should be an inspiration to all.")
Photo by LINDA CHION KENNEY
Tom and Stephanie Dye of Valrico say they will never forget the incredible gift of life they've been given by families in their grief. "I'd like to be able to tell my donor's family what they did for my family," Tom Dye said. "They allowed the children to continue to have a father and the wife to continue to have a husband." As for Stephanie, he added, "they allowed her parents and her brother to continue having a daughter and a sister."
RELATED COVERAGE:
Tom and Stephanie Dye of Valrico say they will never forget the incredible gift of life they've been given by families in their grief. "I'd like to be able to tell my donor's family what they did for my family," Tom Dye said. "They allowed the children to continue to have a father and the wife to continue to have a husband." As for Stephanie, he added, "they allowed her parents and her brother to continue having a daughter and a sister."
RELATED COVERAGE:
RELATED COVERAGE:
- Dyes Celebrate A Fifth "Heart-A-Versary" (Father's Heart Transplant in 2004; Daughter's in 2007)
- One Family, Two Heart Transplants: The Dyes Celebrate Daughter's First "Heart-A-Versary" in 2008
Photo by LINDA CHION KENNEY
Tom and Stephanie Dye of Valrico say they will never forget the incredible gift of life they've been given by families in their grief. "I'd like to be able to tell my donor's family what they did for my family," Tom Dye said. "They allowed the children to continue to have a father and the wife to continue to have a husband." As for Stephanie, he added, "they allowed her parents and her brother to continue having a daughter and a sister."
RELATED COVERAGE:
Tom and Stephanie Dye of Valrico say they will never forget the incredible gift of life they've been given by families in their grief. "I'd like to be able to tell my donor's family what they did for my family," Tom Dye said. "They allowed the children to continue to have a father and the wife to continue to have a husband." As for Stephanie, he added, "they allowed her parents and her brother to continue having a daughter and a sister."
RELATED COVERAGE:
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