The Columbia College Student Experience: UPDATED! Columbia Radio student Bill Coon has a new heart!

Hey everybody.

Thank you again for all the well wishes. I am so touched by all of this support.

My recovery is going amazingly well. I honestly have not felt this well since last December.

It brings me great joy to report that as of yesterday I signed a lease for my apartment in Chicago. Also, an hour ago I signed up for 13 credit hours at Columbia for the upcoming Spring semester!

If you see me in on campus, and you happen to recognize me, please don't be strangers. I would love to meet all of you.

Thanks again for everything guys.

-Bill

I am a perspective student for Columbia College ( For Radio) and I've followed your story, and man I've got to say, your successful transplant has brightened my day ( even though its night lol), I was havin' a pretty bad day until I got on and seen Bill is doin well!, Man I dont personally know ya, but we're all brothas, man, and I'm glad to see ya doin well!, Hopefully I'll see ya at Columbia

I hope all is well God will see to it that your recovery is speedy

Hey Bill, we've never met, but I'm so happy that youre getting the help you need! Get well soon, come back to Columbia! Maybe I'll run into you some day :]

Hi, Bill. We've never met, but I heard your story, and I wanted to let you know that you are here for a very special purpose, and that God has been watching out for you. I hope the recovery process goes well! Get well soon!

Bill,

I don't know you personally, but I saw your story at CBS where I currently intern and I'm a Columbia student as well! It's great that you're progressing! Take it easy and come back soon!

Much love,

Ashley McGuire

Bill,
Glad to hear you got the transplant man! Hope all is well with the recovery process! My prayers are with you.

Nic

Hi Bill,
Congrats! Take one day at a time with your recovery, and come back to Columbia soon!
Best Wishes,
Lynn

Lynn Levy
The Learning Studio

CONGRATULATIONS!! I know we've never met, but I truly hope you have a healthy and safe recovery, and come back to Columbia soon!!! :)

- Jenny Lazaroff

Hey man,

I've never met you, but I was really glad to read that you got the organs you needed!

- Joe

Bill,
I don't personally know you but I have been keeping track on everything that has been going on in your life with the emails we have recevied. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. BEst of luck with your recovery!! Look forward to seeing you around campus in the Spring!

God is truly able, and you have been blessed!
Keep on fighting Bill, we're all here with you.

Hey, your story is pretty miraculous! It gives me hope. Come back to Columbia soon!

Renee

i don't know you, but i certainly wish you a 100% recovery. See you in spring!!

More power to ya brother. I've been an organ donor ever since i got my divers license at age 16. i'll spread the word around to my friends and make sure everyone is registered. the best of luck to you. keep on truckin'.

Bill,

You're a fighter and our thoughts and prayers are with you. You always give you're all to everything you do. Hope to see you soon.

-Tom Joyce

Hey Guys,

I don't know what else to say except that I am so touched by all of your kind words. Thank you all so much for cheering me up through these tough times. I only wish I could somehow give back to all of you the happiness that you have given me with your words.

Thanks again guys!

-Bill Coon

Bill,

My sister donated her organs, and while I cannot meet the people that got an organ, I wish them a happy life and a part of her lives on.

I hope and pray you receive the help you need.

Vienne

Bill,

I had to visit the hospital a while back and was out of commission for about a month. There was something that made me laugh every time I needed to. Look up "Montgomery Flea Market" on youtube.

Laughter is almost the best medicine... it's a close second to rap songs about furniture.

I hope it makes you smile,
Celeste

Hey Bill,
My friend Danny Rosenthal sent you a message earlier... just a clarification, he actually wasn't trying to pick you up. His attempt to be funny was sort of a swing and a miss, right?

Anyway, wish you the best of luck, we're praying for you.

Oh, and the line should be:
I have so much LOVE for you I needed a new heart.

Use that. It's golden. Or try...
If they gave me a heart, I'd give it to you.

All the best,

Sarah

Hi Bill,

Fighting can be tough but with prayers you can most definitely make it through. I will be sure to keep you and your family in my prayers as you go through this tough time. I'll be looking forward to hearing about your quick recovery.

Best,

Cristen

Hi Bill...Columbia's journalism department is thinking of you and wishing you much health and happiness. You sound like a great reason for people to register for organ/tissue donation.

Thinking of you,

Jennifer

Hey Bill,

You for sure are in my prayers through this important time that you are going through. I pray that you and your loved ones all get through this unfortunate event in your life. But always remember that your story is touching and will remain to touch everyone's hearts and will not be something to take lightly. Just want to give you a revelation, I know a woman who went in for a check up and the doctor found over three tumors surrounding her lungs, the doctor said she wasn't going to make it. The next time she went in to the doctors' the trace of any tumors were gone. No treatments.. nothing. The doctor's jaw dropped, this woman is my great aunt..and this proves staying positive and prayerful can do so much! Stay strong and positive. God's Blessings to you!

Best Days,

Ashley-Lauren Elrod

Hi Bill,

I'm not sure that I actually know you, however I do think we may have had a class together. I can't even imagine what you are going through right now. You are an incredibly brave person. Try your best to stay positive as I'm sure you will. You seem like such an amazing person, and hopefully going through this will only shape you into an even better individual. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, and I look forward to seeing you around campus soon.

best wishes,

Dana

Hey Bill,
I don't know you at all but i read the article and I wanted to wish you well. I really hope you are doing well, as well as can be. If you're bored feel free to send me an e mail. (RJD2nd@aol.com) I'm sure lots of people say they and hopefully some hot girls say it. I don't know why, but I think being in a hosipital is sexy. If you don't have a girlfriend, or boyfriend, i don't judge, perhaps you'll get one. You can use this pick up line...Hey, I have so much live for you they needed to give me a new heart. Maybe you can think of something better. I hope you feel better and good luck. I don't normally pray but I'll pray for you. If you want to borrow any of my DVDs let me know, they always make me feel better. Cheers Bill.
Danny Rosenthal

Hi Bill I don't know you personally but we are apart of the Columbia family. I will pray for you and your family, stay strong!!!

Hi Bill,
You're part of the Columbia family and we all wish you a speedy recovery. It must be so tough what you're going though and we wish you all the strength in the world.
See you back at Columbia soon :)
-Claire

Hey Bill,

We haven't met but I just wanted to say that I am glad you are lifted by the amount of support coming from us at Columbia, it's the best way to stay well... Always remember it, through all of your hard times, and I'm sure in a short time, you will be right back here with all of us. Stay well, and I hope to see you around these parts again soon!!--Heather

I can't say I know what you're going through, but you will be in my thoughts.
- Priscilla

Bill,
I'm keeping you in my thoughts and I am sending good vibes your way!

--Christine

Hi Bill,

I don't know you, but I know that you deserve to be healthy! What you're going through must be very difficult, but stay strong and know that there's a whole school full of people that are here to support you and wish you a quick recovery.

Sincerely,
Cheryl

Hey everyone,

I just glanced at this wall of comments for the first time tonight. I just wanted to say thank you to every single one of you for the outpour of support. The Columbia family is unbelievable and I feel blessed to go to school with all of you. Waiting for organs is by far the most difficult thing I have ever done. I was feeling a bit down, then I read all of your kind letters, and I have been instantly cheered up. Thank you all so much! I can't wait to return to class and re-join the Columbia community a.s.a.p.

Keep doing great things guys!

-Bill Coon

Bill,

I don't know you, but as a fellow Columbia student, you are a part of my family. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, mate. Keep smiling. =)

-Erik

I'm writing to wish you the best. I know there's a huge group of Columbia people that are wanting good things to happen so you can recover. It's hard to know what to say, other than we're thinking about you all over Columbia.

We are praying for you and you are in our hearts!

Nicoletta

Dear Bill,

There's so much I want to say, but since we don't know each other I'll tell you this! My husband travels outside the US often, and as you can imagine I worry about him getting back to me safely.He's the best thing that's ever happened to me. Anyway, each time he takes off I send him an angel, this one is for you!

She's really quite amazing! She stands ten feet tall and her hair is golden yellow. You won't miss her and not because of her height, but because her blue eyes shine like the stars in the sky. Her wings are snow white, sparkly at times! She can spread them to three times her height. She'll hold you when ever you need her...just ask! She also loves to sing all day and night....."How Sweet it is to be Loved by You" & "What a Wonderful World".

Her mission: To keep you surrounded by love, faith, hope, strength, and to never let you out of her sight!

She will tell you one last thing,"stay strong my friend, get well, get well soon!"

Love,
Gladys Shabshab

Hi, you don't know me but i'm praying for you. I believe that God can heal you, and that he can fix any situation if you just go to him in prayer... I'm rooting for you... God bless you

Stay positive man.

Hey Bill, I have no idea who you are or what you're about, but I bet that it's nothing short of amazing. You deserve the chance at life that we all have and it's not fair that you have to go through something like this. We are a family and we have to stick together. You will be strong and incredible where ever your life takes you. I strongly wish you the best in your future and every single day. You will be in my heart and my mind. Please stay strong.

Get well soon! Looking forward to hearing about your creative endeavors of the future = )) We're thinking of/praying for you!

Hey Bill,

I am praying for your recovery and I am looking forward to seeing you soon!

Best Wishes,

Daniel

Hey Bill,

You don't know me, but I just heard about your battle. Two years ago, I, too, was hospitalized during the fall semester, leaving me out of school for a little while. My experience doesn't even compare to what you're going through, but I know how much of a bummer it is to be out of school and out of your normal routine. Stay strong and good luck! It's nice to see that Columbia is looking out for you. Just remember that there's a spot saved for you here for the Spring semester.

I will keep you in my Prayers :)

Bill,

I do not know you well, but you sound like an amazing individual. I wish you the best, and hope to see you on campus in the very near future!

Best,
Nina Dorchincez

Bill! Registration for the spring starts in mid-October ... we're keeping a spot for you so hurry up and get better alright? No excuses.

ps: It was great to get to talk to you and your mom ... hope you're back with us soon.

Bill -- Just so you know, we're all in your corner, pulling for you. We wish you all the best. Sandra Allen, PR Studies Prof