Organ Recipients Meet Family of Teen Donor

Source: WJXX ABC 25

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Organ transplant recipients met the family and friends of the teen who saved their lives Wednesday.

Haley Moore, 17, was killed in a car accident in 2007.

"I have been living for today," said Ted Perry, a lung transplant recipient.

Perry has been living for Haley.

"When she told me my lungs came from a 17-year-old girl I just broke down," Perry said. "I was 63 years old and she's 17 and it really got to me."

Her organs saved six lives.

Made by the hands of those she saved, a portrait of Haley brought tears to their eyes and hope to their souls as they met the family of their "angel" for the first time Wednesday.

Haley's friends and family dreamed of meeting the people who now keep Haley alive, not knowing what they would say.

"She must be a very special person because I can feel her in my spirit." Anne Kirchmier, a heart transplant recipient, said. "Every day in everything I do."

For 13 years, there was never a day Kirchmier wasn't sick.

"After my transplant, I woke up and knew I was well for the first time in 13 years because of Haley."

Since that day, Kirchmier has carried Haley with her every day. Together, they won three medals and broke three world records at the World Transplant games.

It was because of Haley's big heart, now with Kirchmier, that she chose to be an organ donor. But it's because of Haley that six people get to choose how they're going to live each day.

The portrait of Haley Moore made Wednesday will be featured on the "Donate Life" float in the Rose Parade on New Year's Day.