Shirley, Donor Mom
Brandon’s Legacy
Brandon’s legacy and my journey as a donor mom began on July 31st 2000.
Brandon was a very outgoing and active 16 year old. He loved learning, laughing, making others smile, he was dedicated to whatever he started out to do and was determined to accomplish as much as possible. When he was 9 years old he joined US Swimming and swam competitively year round, High School added Varsity Cross Country, Water Polo, Swimming and Track to his activities. Most of all, Brandon loved life and all it brought as each day had something new and special to experience and share.
On July 31st 2000 Brandon and I had talked on the phone, he and a friend were going to visit another friend and I was off to a meeting. My meeting ended early so I was on my way back to my desk about 25 minutes later and the phone was ringing as I got there. As I answered the phone one of our Call Center Representatives asked me “are you sitting down”, I laughed and said yes – she responded “no really, are you sitting down?” She proceeded to tell me that she just got off the phone with a King County Sheriff and I needed to go to Harborview Hospital immediately. She didn’t know any more, he just gave her this information and stated he did not have time to be transferred and hung up. I knew it was Brandon right away, I am a single mom with one child and almost all of my family lives out of state – there weren’t any other options.
Upon arriving at Harborview and meeting with the doctor I was informed that Brandon had “the worst type of brain injury possible” and that “it typically isn’t survivable”. The doctor then told me I needed to identify Brandon as he was a John Doe since they kept his identification at the scene of the accident. My first thought was, maybe it isn’t Brandon – my second thought was what a terrible thought for another mother. Needless to say it was Brandon and just over 12 hours later the doctor approached me and stated that they had re-run the tests and “there hadn’t been any change” and he left. I remember standing there thinking – I think the doctor just told me Brandon is dead. A few minutes later I was approached and asked if I had ever considered organ and tissue donation. My response was “No, but absolutely yes”. While Brandon was 16 he had not gotten his drivers license and this was not a conversation we ever had, but knowing Brandon and his love for life I knew without question the decision he would have made.
On August 1st 2000 Brandon had and took the opportunity to save and enhance the lives of 50 or more people through organ and tissue donation. Two weeks before this, late one evening Brandon came into the kitchen and said – “mom, I have accomplished nothing with my life”. I was busy and simply said you are only 16 and your life has not started. I then realized this is not what he wants to hear so I shared things he has accomplished and reminded him he was only 16 and still had his whole life ahead of him. Just two weeks after this conversation Brandon left his legacy of life for others through organ and tissue donation. These gifts of life were given out of love for Brandon and his love for life and others.
Life Center Northwest encourages people to consider becoming a donor. Code your driver's license as donor; carry a donor card in your wallet; and, most importantly, share your decision with your family.