What Saying Yes to the Gift of Life has Meant to Three Donor Moms

Carmen

When her son Clarence passed away, Carmen was uncertain if she wanted to donate his organs. Then she spoke to her granddaughter who supported organ donation. She said her father was a generous man who would have wanted to help others.

Clarence went on to save two lives and leave a lasting legacy through organ donation.

Ever since, Carmen has been an incredible organ donation advocate and has shared her story at various events across the greater New York City area. She tells people how proud she is of Clarence for saving the lives of others and encourages all New Yorkers to have a conversation with their family and consider registering as organ, eye and tissue donors.

Tomasa

When Tomasa’s son, Elvis, suffered a catastrophic head injury due to a bicycle accident, she struggled to accept that he was truly gone. But once she came to terms with his death, donating his organs was the natural thing to do. Elvis was a kind and generous young man and he would have wanted to help others.

“God gave Elvis the privilege to donate his organs,” Tomasa said. “And now eight people are living because of my son.”

One source of joy for Tomasa has been getting to know Elvis’ heart recipient, Georgia. Since receiving the gift of life, Georgia has gone on to get engaged and to attend medical school so that she may one day help others who are in need. All of this is possible because Tomasa and her family said yes to organ donation.

Sherah

When Zack passed away at age nine from complications due to cerebral palsy, his mother, Sherah, consented to organ, eye and tissue donation. She had never considered donation before but was moved by the idea that Zack could help others. He went on to donate his eyes and tissue.

Not long after he passed, Sherah received a letter from one of Zack’s cornea recipients thanking her and her son for giving him the gift of sight. Zack did most of his communicating through his eyes and Sherah finds comfort in knowing that someone else is benefiting from those eyes and that her son is now soaring free of restrictions and pain.

Sherah speaks openly about donation to anyone who will listen and encourages other to register to save a life. “Donation is a gift of kindness,” said Sherah. “It is truly a blessing to know that our boy, who had so many challenges in life, was able to help others by being a donor.”

Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation by visiting LiveOnNY.org.