Organ recipient, donor’s mother share tearful surprise first meeting

The Gazette 
Photo: Misty Troester, 44, and Crystal Ellis, 29, embrace after Ellis' skydive in Vinton on Saturday, July 13, 2013. Ellis received the cornea of Troester's 5-year-old son, Jarren Moser, after his death in 2005. Troester surprised Ellis on Saturday for their first time meeting in person. (The Gazette/Emily Busse)

VINTON, Iowa â€" One of Crystal Ellis’ long-held dreams was to skydive.

After years of eye troubles that left her without vision in one eye, she finally received a donated cornea in 2005. Once the lengthy healing process finally ended, she arranged to make the jump Saturday, the day after her 29th birthday.

And when she finally touched down in the landing zone at Paradise Skydives, Inc., there was a big surprise waiting in the landing zone: Misty Troester, the mother of her cornea donor.

The two had been in contact via letters and Facebook over the years, but had never talked on the phone or met in person. Ellis invited Troester to her skydive, but Troester was vague about whether she’d make it. She wanted it to be a surprise.

“I’m excited but nervous,” Troester said beforehand. “…She’s just a beautiful, beautiful girl. [Ellis is] the same age as my oldest daughter and the connection almost feels like she’s one of mine.”
______________________________________________________ 
"You have the power to SAVE lives." 
To register as a donor TODAY
In California: 
www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org | www.doneVIDAcalifornia.org 
Outside California: 
www.organdonor.gov | www.donatelife.net

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