Ambassador Spotlight – Christy Setzke

Christy Setzke, Ashland, WI 

What is your connection to donation and/or transplantation?
My big brother Todd killed in an ATV accident on May 29, 2001, just 19 days after his 34th birthday. He was an organ donor.

How long have you been a LifeSource Donate Life Ambassador?
I have been a LifeSource Donate Life Ambassador for probably more than 10 years, officially. Unofficially, I began to share Todd’s story after September 11, 2001. That tragedy happened about 5 months after he died; it made me realize once again how precious and fragile life truly is.

What are some of the volunteer activities you do as a Donate Life Ambassador?
I always have wristbands on hand (pardon the pun), ready to give out and share Todd’s story. I share his story on Twitter and Instagram. I have written about Todd for different nonprofit organ donation groups, including the Chris Klug Foundation. I have also shared his story with nonprofit organ donation groups worldwide. I speak to Medical Science classes in our local high school and am working on a book about my experience as a donor sister.

Favorite memory or experience while volunteering as a Donate Life Ambassador.
The first time I met Ryan, donor recipient of half of Todd’s liver, is an experience I will never forget. When I saw him, his mom and sister, a feeling came over me that words cannot describe. Ryan had so many mannerisms that my late brother had that for a moment, I thought I was imagining it; many of Todd’s friends noticed the same thing. The biggest laugh we all had was this: Ryan, due to complications after the transplant, was in a coma for a week. The first thing he wanted when he woke up…BURGER KING! Dolly, Ryan’s mom, told us that he never LIKED Burger King. Now my brother, when Ashland finally got a Burger King, was happy. I was happy because we no longer had to bring home 2 or 3 Whoppers for him if we drove through Superior. Something tells me Todd was trying to make Ryan a Burger King fanatic.

Personal facts you would like to share: family, hobbies, etc.
Todd and I grew up in a very close, loving family. Our maternal grandfather had Alzheimer’s; he never knew who I was. Our grandmother took care of him at home until the end. He passed away when I was in 7th grade. Todd would spend hours by his side, having one sided conversations, holding his hand, and taking walks when they could. We also had a cousin, Kevin, who had Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. Todd loved him like a brother. When Kevin’s legs started not working so well, Todd had our dad find a way to tie a wagon to his bike so he could ride and pull Kevin at the same time. Todd had the biggest heart…many did not see it. My parents did, I did, and his daughters did. Family is most precious to me. I grew up and still live on the Setzke homestead which has been in the family since 1888.
I love to crochet, write, cook, read and do research about both sides of my family.

Any advice for other Ambassadors?
I would say just to be yourself, do not let nerves get the best of you. You are your loved one’s best ambassador and caretaker of his/her story. Be their voice!