Rachel

In March of 2013 my mom suddenly had a hemorrhagic stroke which, after a few days, led to her death. Since she was on life support, her organs were viable for donation. All of this was something my family was not expecting, nor had we ever discussed her wishes if something were to happen. We were left shocked, grieving and our world crumbling around us. The people who came to discuss organ donation were gentle and kind, offering us a sense of calm and purpose to her death.

To this day I remember sitting in a conference room at the hospital with my dad discussing what would happen, what she could donate and what that looked like for recipients and their families. My mom was a kind, gentle human who loved every person she came in contact with. We made the decision that she would want to go out with purpose and love, and she was able to donate everything but her heart.

While losing her is the hardest thing that has happened to me, I am proud of the woman she was and proud that she went out giving.