You don’t have to be rich, famous or even an adult to leave a memorable legacy that can change lives.
Just ask the mother of a 15-year-old girl whose organ donations left a lasting legacy for her family after she died in a car accident in 2001.
Seven people got Colbey’s organs. Her lungs went to Valerie Vandervort, a 29-year-old Oklahoma woman with cystic fibrosis. In the nine years since, Ms. Vandervort has run three 5K races, hiked a mountain, danced at her sister’s wedding, doted on her nieces and nephews, and won medals in swimming at the 2010 National Kidney Foundation United States Transplant Games.
Ms. Oglesby also befriended the recipient of Colbey’s heart, Judy Kaufman of Chesterfield, Mo., who was near death with congestive heart failure. When they met, Ms. Oglesby took a stethoscope to listen to the beat of her daughter’s heart.
And, Colbey has inspired others to become potential organ donors.
(READ the full story in the NY Times)