Borderland kidney transplant recipient speaks about second chance at life

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) - At age 70, Sheila Vakselis had a kidney transplant. Some people said she was too old to receive a new kidney, but Sheila has proved them wrong.

Today, she's a shining example of getting a second chance at life.

Now at age 75, Vakselis is living life to the fullest. She and her husband have done a lot of traveling around the world and she was able to welcome her great-granddaughter after she was born.

Judy Pozzerle, the transplant coordinator for Las Palmas Medical Center, worked with Vakselis. They both stressed the importance of becoming an organ donor.

Pozzerle says there are several different ways to become an organ donor.

She says to talk to your family now and tell them you want your organs donated after you pass away. "You don't want that decision having to be made in a crisis situation," says Pozzerle.

You can also indicate on your drivers license that you want to donate your organs, or you can go to http://donatelifetexas.org to join the Texas Donor Registry.