In 1994 when Jason turned sixteen and went to get his Driver’s License, he checked the box.  My husband Bill was with him at the time and had a brief conversation about why he wanted to be a donor if he should die.  He told Bill he had met a kid in high school who was struggling with kidney disease.  He knew he wanted to help people like this boy if he could.  Never did we imagine at the age of 22 that we would be able to honor his wish.

Jason was declared brain dead on Jan 16, 2012 at 1:40 in the afternoon after being involved in a motorcycle accident.  We met with the hospital staff and the LifeSource representative who confirmed what we already knew-Jason was a designated donor. The LifeSource Coordinator told us that when someone is designated it is like a will.  Jason had made the decision to give the gift of his organs to someone in need.  We honored his wish and prayed that his legacy would live on.

Jason was able to donate his heart, lungs, both kidneys, and liver.  He was also able to give the gift of tissue and eye, which we were told would help up to 50-60 people. We know he would be happy knowing he helped two people with the gift of his kidneys-especially since he knew that boy in high school.   We are looking forward to hearing from the recipients and sharing with them who the person Jason was.

Donor Designation is a person’s documented decision to donate organs, tissues, and eyes at the time of his or her death.  Your loved one may have registered to be a donor by checking the box on their driver’s license, state identification card application, online registry, healthcare directive or other written documentation.  Their decision to be a donor is a binding authorization recognized by state law.