Organ donor saves lives after passing
Saturday a celebration of life took place at the OK Ward Park in Chubbuck. A walk-a-thon event raised awarness for the importance of organ donation for people medically in need. Which was centered around a family who lost their daughter.
Almost three years ago, John and Marjolein Tonks lost Katie to a seizure.
“She was born with epilepsy, she was officially diagnosed when she was 12-years -old. And she passed away at the age of 24 due to brain trauma. Resulting from a grand mal seizure,” said John.
“And we rushed right to the hospital because that’s where they took her. Her breathing stopped, her heart had stopped and they were able to resuscitate her,” said Marjolein.
But by the end of August 2013, Katie was on life support and her parents were told she was never going to wake up again. That’s when they found out their daughter was an organ donor, according to her DMV identification card.
“We miss our daughter everyday and you know, parents are not suppose to bury their kids. It’s just not suppose to happen like that,” said John.
He says after her passing, her heart was still perfectly healthy as well as most of her organs. After much grief and emotion from losing katie, John spent one last night with her in the hospital. He says he found it very difficult to let go of his daughter, let alone her organs. But in the morning, he made up his mind to fulfill her wish to donate them.
Because of John’s decision, people like Tiffany Gordon and Ken Stewart are alive today.
“Emotional. Very emotional. I still get choked up, it’s been almost three years,” said Ken, heart recipient, Bakersfield, CA.
“I feel like a whole new person I can do much more physical things than I did,” said Tiffany, kidney recipient, Salt Lake City.
Saturday morning, Katie’s family and recipients gathered together as one to put on the walk-a-thon at the OK Ward Park to raise money for organ donation. And to celebrate the life that was never lost, but given.
Nearly 200 people showed up at the walk-a-thon, including Mayor Brian Blad. Proceeds will go toward the Intermountain Donor Services of Salt Lake City.
