Earlier this summer, LifeCenter had the opportunity to join our fellow organ procurement organizations (OPOs) at the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations’ (AOOP) Annual Meeting. This is where we the OPOs get together and geek out about the ideas and processes we’re using to better save, heal, and change lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation. We’re all in the same sandbox and happy to share our “toys” with each other.

To kick off the meeting, Donna Austin, who is a Donor Mom, courageously shared the story of her daughter, Dr. Casey Mitchell, and how she became an organ donor. Donna’s story started with tragedy upon tragedy upon tragedy over the span of 10 years. First, her son died young from a heart issue. Then, her husband died from Lewy Body Dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, sadly, Casey was killed by her ex-husband in a domestic violence incident, where Donna was also threatened at gunpoint by the ex-husband, who ultimately turned the gun on himself. Casey left behind two young children.

Out of that tragedy, Casey became an organ donor. Specifically, she gifted her lungs to Norma Espinoza. Norma suffered from cystic fibrosis her entire life. Her condition progressed to where she was on oxygen and couldn’t even make it 10 or 15 steps without getting exhausted. Thanks to Casey’s gift, Norma was able to go swimming for the first time since childhood.

Additionally, someone received the gift of Casey’s heart, and someone received the gift of her liver.

Both Donna and Norma are dedicated advocates and volunteers with Texas Organ Sharing Alliance, the OPO representing Central and South Texas, promoting organ donation and transplantation. They’ve been sharing their story ever since their emotional first meeting in 2017.

Their poignant story of loss and hope reinforces our mission to transform tragedy into a chance for others to have a second chance at life.

Donna said what helped her through the tragedies she experienced with her son, husband, and daughter was her abiding faith and the silver lining that Casey’s life lives on through three other people. A daily prayer Casey used and is inscribed in a memorial bench in her honor at the hospital she worked at, reads, “God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend time loving YOU and loving other people. Love is the way of life. Let them see YOU in me.” Donna said this prayer continues to bless her.

One reason we hear from people opposed to registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor is because their religion does not allow it. This is a fair, appropriate response. It’s also worth asking, if you’re in Adams County because we know at least 20.5 percent of the population are adherents to a religious sect, according to The Association of Religion Data Archives. Nearly 75 percent of adherents belong to non-denominational Christian churches, with the remaining percentages spread across a variety of denominations, such as the Catholic Church, Amish groups, United Methodist, Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, and Mormon. All of these denominations accept organ donation.

The Catholic Church views organ and tissue donation as an act of charity and love.

The Amish consent to transplantation if it’s for the well-being of the transplant recipient, i.e., nothing in Amish understanding of the Bible necessarily forbids modern medical services.

The United Methodist Church encourages all Christians to become organ and tissue donors as part of their ministry to others in the name of Christ, “who gave his life that we might have life in its fullness.” The Presbyterian Church echoes these sentiments, adding that such selfless consideration for the “health and welfare of our fellows is at the heart of the Christian ethic.”

Southern Baptists entrust the decision to individual conscience, but donation is in line with the sanctity of human life, and that it can be “life-affirming.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) believes donation is a selfless act, but leaves the decision up to the individual.

Ultimately, the decision to register as a donor is yours to make, and one we encourage you to share with your family. But on the question of whether religion allows one to donate their organs and tissue after death, the answer is an unequivocal “yes.”

For one family in Texas, Donna and Casey, their faith meant love and love meant selflessness.

To register your decision, you can do so at your local BMV, on their website, or at lifepassiton.org/register.

If you ever have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me via email at bmilam@lifepassiton.org. You can also mail your inquiries to:

LifeCenter Organ Donor Network

615 Elsinore Pl, Suite 400

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Brett Milam is the Communications Associate with LifeCenter.

Brett Milam is the Communications Associate with LifeCenter