In 1993, Colby Cassani, who was only one year old, was left unattended in a bathtub by his babysitter. He slipped under water and drowned. He was rushed to the hospital, but his life could not be saved.
A physician at the hospital asked Colby’s parents the difficult question: “Would you be willing to donate your son’s organs?” In spite of their grief, they agreed.
Although Colby’s life was short, his legacy touched many lives. His kidneys were transplanted into a twenty-seven year old man. His liver was implanted in a two year old girl. And his heart was donated to a five month-old boy. All of the transplants were successful.
The Cassanis established the Colby Foundation in 1995 as a way to honor Colby’s memory and to inspire and educate others about organ and tissue donation. You can read more about the Colby Foundation at www.colbyfoundation.org.
Almost anyone can be an organ donor, regardless of age or medical history.
You can make a statement regarding organ and tissue donation in your Living Will, on your driver’s license, or in a separate document. You can also give specific direction as to who should benefit from the donation, and may even give certain individuals, such as family members a preference.