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John Ivanowski -- who will be on anti-rejection medication for the rest of his life, but no longer needs dialysis -- said the shock and anger have since subsided, saying, \"I wouldn't change a thing. I feel so much better.\"

Delayne Ivanowski, who should have no lasting side effects or complications from the transplant, said she also wouldn't change anything about the way she helped her dad, saying, \"I'm not good at being told no.\"

She said she hopes her family's story helps raise awareness of the need for organ donation. Over 104,000 people are currently on the waiting list in the United States for a lifesaving organ transplant, according to UNOS.

\"If anything, I've saved one life and hopefully I can, with awareness and other things, save other lives by encouraging people to become donors or to take that next step and go get the testing done to become a match,\" said Delayne Ivanowski. \"It hurts, but all the pain is worth it in the end, I think.\"

Editor's note: This was originally published on Feb. 28, 2023.

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