Woman Meets Family of Organ Donor Who Gave Her Gift of Life

By George Kiriyama KNTV/NBC News Channel Report

MONDRAGON, Spain -- A California woman recently traveled thousands of miles for an emotional reunion more than four years in the making. Mary DiMaggio was given the gift of life thanks to an organ donor.

"This is his life. This is Gaizka," DiMaggio said as she held a picture of the young man.

Every time DiMaggio's heart beats, Gaizka Larranaca's heart beats, too. Larranaca was hit and killed by a car in Reno as he rode his bike.

DiMaggio's heart was failing in December 2003 when Larranaca's heart gave her new life.

"I woke up from the surgery. I could breathe better and felt better," DiMaggio recalled. "I'm just so thankful. And I just feel it was meant for me to have his heart."

DiMaggio found out that her heart came from a young man from Spain. More than four years and a couple of letters later, DiMaggio decided to visit the country and family from where her new heart came. DiMaggio said she felt like Larranaca's heart was finally home when she met his family at a train station in Mondragon, Spain.

"I wanted to take his heart home. I wanted them to know me, know that his heart continued to tick and that there was a part of him that was still alive," DiMaggio said.

In three days, strangers became family. DiMaggio joined Larranaca's family to plant a plum tree in his honor. She also gave the family a picture of Gaizka that she painted. DiMaggio said her visit with the family was something that she needed but also something Larranaca's family needed as well.

"Because they didn't get to say goodbye to him. He was in Reno. They were in Spain. All they had was the ashes brought home. And when I showed up to be able to hear the heartbeat and they all heard the heartbeat and felt it. They were able to say goodbye," DiMaggio said.

Her story, DiMaggio said, demonstrates the importance of becoming a donor before a tragedy strikes. She really wants to see the family again and hopes that they will visit her soon.

©2010 NBC News Channel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.