A Legacy that Rides On
by The Hamilton Family
Cory Hamilton was 20 years old when he bought his first motorcycle. "His feet barely touched the ground," laughs his mom, Cheryl Pond, who started riding motorcycles in 1990 with Cory's stepdad, John. "He liked the speed and lived for track days," she said. Cory, from New Cumberland, West Virginia, loved the freedom he felt on his sport bike. "He would ride any day that he could," said Cheryl. His love for biking even parlayed into a career, as he spent some time selling motorcycles in Ohio and West Virginia.
On June 24, 2006, Cory went out for a ride with three of his friends, just like he would any other day. Sadly, this ride was Cory's last – a car pulled out in front of Cory and he wasn't able to stop his bike. He was killed instantly.
Cory's sudden death left his family devastated, but they did find some comfort in the incredible gift he left behind. Cory was a registered organ and tissue donor and was able to give the gift of tissue after his death. "He told me when we got his license that he wanted to be a donor," said Cheryl, "he always wanted to help other people."
The impact Cory had on the lives of others was obvious to his family at his funeral. "It was three days of a continuous line of people," said Cheryl. Guests shared stories about her son, "I even had a neighbor of his tell me that Cory always stopped by to see if he needed anything. It was incredible."
Cory also impacted lives after death, including two tissue recipients who have contacted his family. One recipient received a tendon from Cory that allowed her to play tennis again with her daughter. Another recipient thanks Cory for her ability to hold her grandchild, a simple act she couldn't imagine before receiving his donated tissue.
Knowing that Cory's legacy lives on has brought peace to his family and inspired family members to register as organ and tissue donors. The giving nature of Cory Hamilton continues in the gift he gave as a donor. His spirit will ride on through the lives he impacted in life and after death.
Click here to see a video tribute made by Cory's friends.
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