At CHANGE, we believe every body tells a story, and some stories have the power to save lives. In collaboration with the Danish organ donation association Organdonationsforeningen, we bring you five powerful stories of women whose lives have been forever changed by organ donation. Some are recipients, others are donors, all are living proof that our bodies carry much more than beauty. At CHANGE, we believe every body tells a story, and some stories have the power to save lives. In collaboration with the Danish organ donation association Organdonationsforeningen, we bring you five powerful stories of women whose lives have been forever changed by organ donation. Some are recipients, others are donors, all are living proof that our bodies carry much more than beauty.
They carry strength, scars, love, and hope.
We are deeply grateful to Heidi, Randi, Rikke, Steffie, and Clara for sharing their journeys. By speaking out, they break taboos, open hearts, and show the life-saving impact of choosing to say yes to donation. Explore their stories below, and help us raise awareness for a cause that truly matters.
Meet Heidi & Randi – twin sisters who are bound by the journey of organ donation
Heidi became seriously ill with kidney disease as a teenager. After years of declining health, she received a life-saving kidney transplant from her identical twin sister, Randi, in 1993. Today, both women live full lives, their bond stronger than ever. Through their shared scars, they show what love and sisterhood can look like in its purest form.
What made you want to share your story?
Heidi: “I’ve had Randi’s kidney for over half my life now. It changed everything. I became a mother, a grandmother. That wouldn’t have happened without her. When people see our story, I hope they think: ‘Wow, I didn’t know you could live a full life after something like that.’ Because you can. We’re living proof.”
What made you decide to donate your kidney?
Randi: “It was never a question for me. If your sister needs a kidney to live, you give it. We’ve lived together, raised our kids together, we’re more than sisters. We’re part of each other’s lives in every way.”
Meet Marie – embracing a second chance after receiving the ultimate gift
Marie was 26 when she first became seriously ill. Her liver failed rapidly due to a combination of undiagnosed health conditions and a past alcohol problem. After multiple near-death experiences and months in the hospital, she received a liver transplant in November 2023. Today, she’s rebuilding her life with a new sense of clarity and gratitude.
What does organ donation mean to you?
“Thank you just isn’t enough. I just want to live my life in a way that the person who gave me this would know how much it meant, more than they could probably ever imagine. I think it’s important that people understand, instead of seeing organ donation as something being taken from you, you should see it as all these gifts you get the chance to pass on to others. And it’s not just a one-to-one gift. In my case, someone gave a man his wife back. Hopefully, they gave future children their mother. They gave a sister and they gave a daughter, and hopefully a good citizen too. It’s those ripples in the water.”
Why do you think visibility matters?
“I know so many women struggle with their bodies, and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to do this. Our bodies are real, and they’ve been through real things. I hope someone can look at my scars and say, ‘Hey, I have scars too, and that’s okay. I can show them.’
Meet Rikke – living fully to honour the gift that saved her life
Rikke began to feel unwell in her early 20s. After years of misdiagnosis and struggle with lupus, her kidney function deteriorated, and she eventually required dialysis. In 2017, her ex-husband stepped forward and donated a kidney. Today, Rikke lives a full life, carrying both a deep gratitude and a new perspective on strength.
What do you wish more people knew about organ donation?
“I want to support more people learning about what organ donation really is. It’s not just about being cut open, it’s about helping someone live. If you say yes to becoming a donor, you might give someone a whole new life. That’s huge.”
What was the hardest part of your journey?
“It took me years before I really trusted that my kidney was working. I barely dared to move because I was so afraid the kidney would just stop working. It took me years before I truly trusted that I could live my life again, that I could be active, exercise, get my pulse up, or go to a festival, and the numbers would still be good. I had to learn that it’s okay to live a little, and the kidney’s still holding up. Even today, a week before I go for blood tests, I start panicking. I’ve lived so long with bad numbers, I still brace myself before I see the results.”
Meet Steffie – finding strength, joy, and purpose after transplant
Born with kidney failure, Steffie has undergone two transplants: one from her grandmother at age 7, and another from her mother at 21. Her story is one of resilience through years of illness, setbacks, and hospital stays. Now a nurse herself, Steffie shares her journey to raise awareness and remind us all that life is a gift to be lived fully and joyfully.
How has your experience shaped the way you live today?
“The best way I can say thank you to my family, to my mom, my grandmother, is by living my life fully and by taking care of the gift they’ve given me. That’s how I honour what they’ve done for me.”
What do you see when you look at your scars?
“For so many years, my body hasn’t really felt like mine. Doctors have operated on me, done procedures, always with my consent, of course, but it didn’t feel like I was in control. And for years, I’ve been insecure about my scars. It’s taken me a long time, but now I’m incredibly proud of my scars. They tell the story of what I’ve survived. They’re a daily reminder of how strong I am. Doing this shoot felt like a way to reclaim my body.”
Thank you to the women who shared their stories with us
At CHANGE, we believe in the power of visibility. By showing their scars, their strength, and their truth, these women help break down silence and stigma around organ donation. Their courage is a reminder that beauty is not about perfection, it’s about the lives we live and the choices we make.