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Gifted: An Extraordinary Journey Through Illness and Liver Transplantation
After first being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, Dan presumed that it would be just another small bump in the road that he would endure as one of life's little challenges. However, his condition quickly changed to a life-and-death situation that would require a liver transplant in order to survive. Dan presents a compelling, first-hand account of the physical and emotional challenges of what he faced being chronically ill, enduring the loss of loved ones, struggling to obtain adequate health insurance, and ultimately undergoing a liver transplant surgery that saved his life. It's also a testimony to how one's faith and the unyielding love and support of family, friends, and strangers can truly overcome adversity. Gifted is a humbling and inspirational story of faith, courage, hope, trust, and perseverance that will have you cheering and crying, but most of all rejoicing in the message that with the gift of life, anything and everything is possible.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 21, 2012
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11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 10, 2017
After first being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, Dan presumed that it would be just another small bump in the road that he would endure as one of life's little challenges. However, his condition quickly changed to a life-and-death situation that would require a liver transplant in order to survive.
Dan presents a compelling, first-hand account of the physical and emotional challenges of what he faced being chronically ill, enduring the loss of loved ones, struggling to obtain adequate health insurance, and ultimately undergoing a liver transplant surgery that saved his life. It's also a testimony to how one's faith and the unyielding love and support of family, friends, and strangers can truly overcome adversity. Gifted is a humbling and inspirational story of faith, courage, hope, trust, and perseverance that will have you cheering and crying, but most of all rejoicing in the message that with the gift of live, anything and everything is possible
Born on January 23, 1973 in Fort Knox, Kentucky, to a United States Army Officer and a homemaker, Dan Bonner grew up dreaming of playing center field for the New York Yankees or being an accountant. Never having the depth of talent for professional baseball, he worked in financial services after graduating from Rutgers University in 1995. In 1997, he developed digestive problems and was later diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. It was in 2001 when Dan's liver problems began and was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Told that he would one day need a liver transplant to survive, he decided to leave his job in financial services to pursue his goal of obtaining a MBA.
After two years in Pennsylvania State University's full-time MBA program, Dan graduated with a concentration in Corporate Financial Analysis and Planning in May of 2004. In October of 2004, Dan was told he needed to get on the waiting list for a liver transplant as his health had deteriorated. With the help, love, and faith from his family, friends, strangers, and religious beliefs, Dan was listed for transplant in January of 2005 and transplanted in March of the same year. Incredibly grateful for his second chance at life, Dan became an active volunteer and public speaker advocating organ and tissue donation.
It was only after audience members encouraged him to write a book about his experiences that he decided to give it a try. Five years later, Gifted is now available for everyone to read. Dan currently lives in Bayonne, New Jersey with his wife, Sue. While he still works in financial services, he would like to become a motivational speaker and open up his own financial planning business. Dan and Sue enjoy volunteering at various organizations, traveling, and spending time at the New Jersey shore.
see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...
Dan presents a compelling, first-hand account of the physical and emotional challenges of what he faced being chronically ill, enduring the loss of loved ones, struggling to obtain adequate health insurance, and ultimately undergoing a liver transplant surgery that saved his life. It's also a testimony to how one's faith and the unyielding love and support of family, friends, and strangers can truly overcome adversity. Gifted is a humbling and inspirational story of faith, courage, hope, trust, and perseverance that will have you cheering and crying, but most of all rejoicing in the message that with the gift of live, anything and everything is possible
Born on January 23, 1973 in Fort Knox, Kentucky, to a United States Army Officer and a homemaker, Dan Bonner grew up dreaming of playing center field for the New York Yankees or being an accountant. Never having the depth of talent for professional baseball, he worked in financial services after graduating from Rutgers University in 1995. In 1997, he developed digestive problems and was later diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. It was in 2001 when Dan's liver problems began and was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Told that he would one day need a liver transplant to survive, he decided to leave his job in financial services to pursue his goal of obtaining a MBA.
After two years in Pennsylvania State University's full-time MBA program, Dan graduated with a concentration in Corporate Financial Analysis and Planning in May of 2004. In October of 2004, Dan was told he needed to get on the waiting list for a liver transplant as his health had deteriorated. With the help, love, and faith from his family, friends, strangers, and religious beliefs, Dan was listed for transplant in January of 2005 and transplanted in March of the same year. Incredibly grateful for his second chance at life, Dan became an active volunteer and public speaker advocating organ and tissue donation.
It was only after audience members encouraged him to write a book about his experiences that he decided to give it a try. Five years later, Gifted is now available for everyone to read. Dan currently lives in Bayonne, New Jersey with his wife, Sue. While he still works in financial services, he would like to become a motivational speaker and open up his own financial planning business. Dan and Sue enjoy volunteering at various organizations, traveling, and spending time at the New Jersey shore.
see this and more than a hundred other organ donation/transplant related books - many with my personal reviews - at http://www.trioweb.org/resources/book...
September 28, 2025
As someone who suffers from PBC, I appreciate Bonner's vulnerability and conciseness in talking about his own journey to and through transplant. Like he says in the book, being able to be informed and prepared makes the suffering just a little less scary. I especially found value in his conversation about health insurance and the barriers it puts in front of sick people, as well as talking about how life continues around you even when, especially when, you are sick.
August 22, 2012
A must read! Dan takes us through an extraordinary year in his life! His story is one of loss, hope and inspiration!
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August 29, 2015I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
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http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13540655
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews