According to a report by the Daily Mail, Donnarumma fought back tears while holding Donnelly Jr.’s hand as they walked down the aisle. Just before reaching the altar, Donnarumma’s father embraced Donnelly Jr. and took over for the final steps.
Upon witnessing him in tears, Donnarumma shared with the publication, “Once I saw him crying, I started crying.” She added that her father expressed his honor in escorting her down the aisle and his joy in gaining another daughter.
The 28-year-old, recounting her experience to the Daily Mail, expressed her desire for her story to highlight the “power of organ donation.” She emphasized the tragedy of death and the beauty of transplant, noting that it provided her with a life she never thought she would have.
In the United States, approximately 17 people lose their lives daily while waiting for a transplant, with someone being added to the waiting list every nine minutes. The New York Times, in an August 2019 editorial, argued that misconceptions about donor eligibility and cumbersome registration processes hinder potential donors, contributing to organ shortages.
The editorial suggested that persuading more people to become organ donors is the most promising solution to end the shortage. According to the U.S. government’s Health Resources and Services Administration, each organ donation has the potential to save eight lives.
Diana Donnarumma, who tied the knot last August, stands as a living testament to the impact of organ donation
