We've been talking with people from communities across Northcentral Montana whose lives have been forever changed by organ donation. Our "Gift Of Life" series concludes with the story of a donor family, and how just one decision has impacted countless people across the country.

Everyday, Kathy and Bob Doney give thanks for the days they shared with their youngest son Chad, who they describe as ambitious and active up until his last days.

Kathy recalled,"We had raked leaves. He played with the kids across the street. He just was like a pied-piper. The kids really liked him and he was just a fun guy to be around."

But in October of 1998, Chad chose to take his own life.

His mother said, "They told us he had shot himself...that he was still not, you know, he was not still with us."

While the tragedy sunk in for their own family, Bob saw a chance of hope for others.

He said, "I talked to the doctor on the phone and it didn't take me too long to make the decision to see what was available if we could donate his organs."

And nearly a thousand miles away, a 56-year old man would get a second chance.

Kathy said, "He was on his death bed and had already said goodbye to his daughter Elizabeth when they got the news that he was going to get a heart."

And so Chad's heart would save the life of a complete stranger.

Two years later, Bob and Kathy met meet their son's heart recipient.

Kathy remembered, "The first question he asked when we drove up was, I got out of the car, he said 'I suppose you want to hear Chad's heart'. So he let us put our ear to his chest and listen to Chad's heart. It was very emotional."

Bob said, "That was something you totally can't describe, you know?"

But it wasn't only Chad's heart that had turned a life around.

Kathy said, "His corneas both went to boys in Montana, his heart went to Doug in Blaine, Washington, his liver went to a mother of four in Washington state, his kidneys went to a man and a woman in the Chicago area."

The list goes on and on - a total of 56 people directly impacted by the donation of Chad's organs and tissue.

Kathy remarked, "56 people. It's amazing."

It's a gift that wish they'd never had to give, with Kathy noting, "God only knows that we would certainly want him to be with us today, but that wasn't God's plan."

But both Kathy and Bob say just knowing they gave others a second chance still helps in the healing process.

Bob said, "It was a closure that you had to kind of let him go." And Kathy said, "He knows what's transpired and I think he'd be happy."

The Doney family remains close with their son's heart recipient; he visits them in Havre every year.