One local biker who has been touched by Live On. Ride On. is Aaron Shirk. Each year he promotes the campaign with his “Duane Shirk Memorial Poker Run” to honor his father, who gave the ‘Gift of Life.’  Here’s what Aaron has to say about his father and what riding means to him: Read More »

By Laci Thomas, donor family member

On June 13, 2009, exactly 15 weeks before our wedding, my 22-year-old fiancé, Danny Thomas, was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Danny and I met at Westland High School in Columbus and were high school sweethearts.  He was an amazing man, father and friend with a huge smile and a heart of gold. Read More »

By Erica Kaufman, donor daughter

For as long as I can remember, my dad loved motorcycles.  He rode dirt bikes as a child and bought his first Harley in 2001. He was so proud of that bike! Whenever I traveled, I would make sure to buy him Harley shirts wherever I was.

My dad, Terry Kaufman, was definitely an amazing man.  A husband of 28 years to my mom, Kathy, a father to three and grandfather to two, he was the rock in our family.

As much as he loved motorcycles, he loved his family more.  He sold his beloved Harley so my mom could go back to college for a degree in elementary education.  That’s just the kind of man he was. Read More »

On Christmas Day in 1998, Joey Johnson, gave the ultimate gift. He saved five lives after he died suddenly at the age of 19.

“Christmas Day is usually a time of joy and celebration for our family,” said Bernetta Calloway, Joey’s mother. “But that day brought more sorrow than we ever experienced.” Read More »

By Janie Scarborough, donor mother

I would like to introduce you to an incredible young woman, Sarah Jane Scarborough.  She is my only child and my best friend.  She brought more joy to my life in 24 years than most people experience in a lifetime. Read More »

by Don Huiner, Father of organ recipient

I believe everyone has at least one person in their life who has influenced and inspired them to make a difference. In my case, one such person was my daughter, Erika.

Erika was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as an infant. In our efforts to understand the implications of her disease, my wife, Eileen, and I had several counseling sessions with a psychologist. He told us that we could not live Erika’s disease for her. Rather, our job as parents was to help her become the strongest, most self-reliant person that she could be. Read More »

By Sara Brown, Donor Family

I never thought my dad’s death would influence the career path I took in college, the opportunities I received and ultimately where I would end up working.  Thanks to my dad, five people received the “Gift of Life” – and I ended up with a purpose.  Read More »

by Cindy Kuba, Betsy’s Mom (Donor Family)

We would like to tell you about our daughter, Elizabeth. We always called her Betsy. She passed away on April 29, 2004 from a brain aneurysm. Read More »

By Kathy Harrington, Lindsay’s Mom (Donor Family)

On Friday, September 13, 2002, my life became forever changed. My beautiful daughter, Lindsay Alyce Jones, died of a brain aneurysm.

Lindsay went to school that day and decided to go work out with her best friend Morgan. She suddenly experienced an excruciating headache, said she did not feel well, and collapsed. I was called immediately and was at our health club within minutes. Read More »

By Robin Buskirk (Donor Mother)

It is every parent’s worst nightmare. Seeing two State Highway Patrolmen standing on our front porch at 4 a.m., informing us that our daughter, Katie Lynn, had been involved in an automobile accident.

On June 29, 2005, Katie Lynn became an organ and tissue donor. She was able to give the Gift of Life. Read More »