David Mogel’s boots were made for hiking. He loved nothing more than being outdoors and hearing the quiet of nature.
David and his wife, Amy, live in Merrick, close to the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, a 32-mile hiking trail that runs from Long Island Sound to Great South Bay. Amy said he could easily walk up to 10 miles on the trail. Sometimes he would walk halfway and stay in a motel overnight, continuing the walk to a harbor town on the North Shore. When he arrived, David would call Amy, and she would pick him up.
David also loved building things in his woodworking shed. He taught their son how to build things, too. For a while, David made beautiful pens, wine stoppers, and bowls, and they would sell them at craft fairs. He loved traveling and visiting family.
Now 68, David cannot do any of these things anymore. He was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that is destroying his liver. One of the hardest things for him is not being able to drive — even locally — or walk very much, said Amy. He spends a lot of time sleeping and watching TV.
Life in limbo is very difficult, said Amy. Every time the telephone rings, they hold their breath, hoping it’s “The Call.” And then … it isn’t.
“Being on the waiting list has been very stressful on our family. To be honest, it is exhausting.”
said Amy
David has told Amy that if he gets the gift of a liver transplant he will make certain that gift, and second chance, will never be wasted, and that the donor would always be in the family’s thoughts and prayers.
“We would never stop being grateful,” said Amy. “If anyone had any doubts about becoming an organ donor, please know that you would be changing someone’s life forever. You are giving them, and the people who love them, a new lease on life.”
Amy said when David recovers from the transplant he wants to foster elderly rescue dogs. The couple, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2026, lost their “fur baby” last year. He knows how difficult it is for older dogs to find a home in which to age comfortably.
He also wants to get back into his workshop and start walking again, as well as take some road trips. And definitely spend time with family. No longer living it limbo and constantly waiting for the call to come will be such an amazing relief for their family, she added.
When that moment occurs, Amy said, “We will finally be able to breathe freely.”
Amy hopes David’s story inspires others to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and brings hope to the nearly 8,000 patients in New York State waiting for a lifesaving transplant.