my blue-eyed boy: aidan joseph “aj” skinner · my blue-eyed boy (continued from page 1) our...
TRANSCRIPT
1
A bi -annual news let ter to honor organ and t i s sue donors and their fami l ie s . Winter/Spring 2016
My Blue-Eyed Boy:
Aidan Joseph “AJ” Skinner
Written by: Krista Skinner, Donor Mother
Hot, humid air arrived that last week in June
2014. Our family was looking forward to a
summer of entertaining, barbequing and sharing
our newly built patio with friends. Spending time
as a family hiking, traveling or just hanging out at
home was important to us. Aidan was ready to
head off to a three-day goalie lacrosse camp. It
was something he had begged to do all winter
long.
Aidan loved life and he lived it with passion.
Aidan or AJ, depending on who you asked, had
his future completely planned. He played
basketball, swam and skied. As a Boy Scout, he
had spent many days camping and hiking
throughout New England and he worked each
day delivering the local paper on his bike. In the
winter, he loved to create huge, elaborate snow
forts. On vacations, he and his two siblings were
thrill-ride junkies. He loved to draw and doodle.
A Lego fan, his creations are everywhere in our
home. It was a Christmas tradition for him and
his brother to spend a good part of the day
building. Aidan was a dedicated student: a
treasurer for the student council, a member of
the Junior National Honor Society, a part of the
debate team and a volunteer at every charity
event. Every other Sunday he was an altar server
at our parish. But above everything else, Aidan
loved lacrosse and cooking.
The aspiring chef, Aidan, planned on attending
culinary school at Johnson and Wales. From there,
he was headed to Harvard to complete his MBA
so he could start building his restaurant empire. He
had even planned his first restaurant, Boston
Water, a floating building in the harbor. I still have
the menu he designed. As a family we spent many
days together in the kitchen or by the grill creating
meals. We loved to travel and one of my favorite
memories was Aidan’s excitement shopping in a
local neighborhood market in Paris. He had no
fear at the age of ten trying to get vendors to
understand his incredibly limited French. He
would try any food you offered him!
AJ, the lacrosse goalie, was a leader. He wasn’t
afraid to take charge. His dream was to play on
the high school’s varsity team. Every day he was
out there practicing alone or with friends. We
knew going to goalie camp was going to be the
highlight of his summer. The evening before he
left, we grilled pizzas and planned the Fourth of
July menu. He wanted to impress my friend, one
of his teachers, with a new recipe.
Aidan had a great first day and night at camp. My
husband received a text saying he was “definitely”
having an awesome time. He spent the evening
texting friends. The next morning, July 1, while on
the practice field, Aidan suffered a massive brain
hemorrhage caused by an undiagnosed AVM. He
had always been a healthy, active boy and was
rarely ill. Aidan was resuscitated on the field, and
he was taken by med flight from a local hospital
to a critical care hospital. By early afternoon, we
learned that Aidan, at the age of 12, would not
survive. When they first asked us to consider
donation, before my husband or I could even
open our mouths, it was Aidan’s older brother
and sister that said we were going to do it.
(cont’d on page 2)
Aidan and one of his creations
2
My Blue-Eyed Boy
(continued from page 1)
Our family has been touched by
donation before. My husband is
a living organ donor and Aidan
had written about how much he
wanted to help someone like his
dad some day. We knew that
Aidan would want to help
whomever he could. On July 2,
2014, my blue-eyed boy left us to
become a hero.
Aidan touched many lives. As a
very tall 12 1/2 year old, Aidan’s
organs were able to go to people
with a wide range of ages. His
recipients ranged from teenagers
to people in their 40’s. We also
donated AJ’s corneas. Generous
friends and family honored our
wishes to support New England
Organ Bank. We continue to be
overwhelmed by the outpouring
of support we have received by
our friends, community, schools,
New England Organ Bank, the
hospital and people we have
never met. Aidan is missed by
many friends who continue to
honor his memory and share
their stories with us.
Although there is not a moment
that goes by that we don’t wish
that Aidan was here with us, we
find comfort in the fact that he
was able to help others to begin
to live life fully again. Aidan was
generous with his time, held his
hand out to those that needed it,
laughed loud, fought hard and
loved with a love that still
surrounds us today.
The Skinner Family
Donate Life tree created by
the Skinner Family in honor of AJ
The Transplant Games of America is an Olympic-style
athletic competition that raises organ and tissue donor
awareness by displaying the talents and abilities of
individuals who have undergone life-saving transplant
surgeries, as well as honoring families whose loved ones
have given the gift of life. Competition events are open
to organ transplant recipients, living donors, and tissue
transplant recipients. There will also be special programs
and workshops available for donor families to attend as
well as plenty of opportunities to cheer on our athletes as
they prove that transplantation works!
Join Team New England!
For more information:
or call Laura Dempsey at 617-558-6681
3
Kaitlyn D. Doorhy, OUR FORCE
Written By: Darla Doorhy, Donor Mother
Kaitlyn was our daughter, sister, friend, niece,
goddaughter, granddaughter. She was an all
around giving, loving and spiritual young lady.
Kaitlyn was entering her junior year at Sacred
Heart University, majoring in law when her life
at the age of 20 was cut short. Kaitlyn was struck
by a reckless driver while standing on a side walk
volunteering her time for her sorority Kappa
Delta. The sorority that was close to Kaitlyn’s
heart. She entered heaven that day.
Our daughter/sister received the highest honor of
Ambassador with Girl Scouts, played the
saxophone, flute, piano and was a member of
the jazz and concert bands both in high school
and college. She was a cheerleader, a member of
NJROTC, an alter server and a DECA member—
a group that performs in academic competitions.
Kaitlyn was also a Mattituck Strawberry Queen, a
volunteer at Maureen’s Haven (a homeless
shelter) and participated in mock trial. She was
an honor roll student for 4 years in high school
and on the Dean’s List in college. She had a hand
in countless cultural, civic and community efforts.
Kaitlyn always took the time to understand
various points of view, especially those of her
elders. Her character wouldn’t let her turn a
blind eye to the needs of the family, neighbors,
community, church or classmates. Even at a
young age, Kaitlyn lent her support to numerous
community events such as Athletic Boosters,
social activities and religious causes; usually
assuming a leadership role. Blending into the
background was not her character. She is a
FORCE.
Kaitlyn worked 3 jobs at the age of 16. She
managed two restaurants (Amano & Allure) and
worked as a sales associate at Michael Kors.
At the age of 16, Kaitlyn became a verbal donor
to me. She was able to save 4 lives. What a
beautiful gift to those families.
Our lives will never be the same. I know our
precious daughter Kaitlyn’s life lives on in these 4
people whom she gave life to.
Our daughter had two hands, one to do for
herself and the other to do for others. That’s
exactly what she did in the end.
I have written to 2 of the 4 recipients. It would
be wonderful to hear from all 4 so we could
share how beautiful their donor was.
An organization was formed by our daughter’s
friends to keep Kaitlyn’s memory alive. Please
visit: Kaitsangels.org to learn more about the
wonderful good being done in honor of her. It’s
a beautiful tribute to our amazing young
daughter.
4
NEW ENGLAND DONOR MEMORIAL
Dedicated in October 2015, the Gift of Life Memorial is designed by world renowned artist Robert
Shure along with his talented daughter, sculpturist Lisa Benson. Mr. Shure is the owner of Skylight
Studios in Woburn, MA. His historic sculpture design studio has produced public works which are
familiar to many, including the Fallen Firefighters sculpture beside the MA State House and the beloved
FAO Schwartz Teddy Bear now on display at The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical
Center in Boston. Mr. Shure knows the power of donation as he is the recipient of two sight restoring
corneal transplants. It was this gift of sight that has allowed him to continue to pursue his creative
talents. His gratitude for that gift has propelled him to donate his talents to create this amazing
sculpture which honors all organ and tissue donors. Lisa Benson worked in tandem with her father in
the conception and production of the memorial. She has prepared an artist’s statement which
accompanies the sculpture to provide their interpretation of the symbolism used throughout this
beautiful work of art.
Artist Statement
The “Young Tree of Life” represents new and renewed
life. Emerging from the tree stump, it shows a richness
of fresh growth—out of death comes the gift of life. The
donor is reborn in the life of the recipient.
The tree stump, although it is depicted with many rings,
is a life cut short but it has the chance to foster the
growth of these young leaves. Each leaf is unique to
embody the variety of situations and lives that are
affected. If you look closely, you can see oak, maple,
birch and many other shapes taken from nature and the
imagination.
The rich bronze patina’s subtle reds and greens have the
effect of bark, wood and foliage—a physical
manifestation of the richness of life made possible
because of the generosity of donors.
Resting “Butterflies of Rebirth” have nestled in the
leaves and in their metamorphosis they also become a
symbol of rebirth. They are gilded a shiny silver tone and
lend an association to brand-new existence.
Though the “Tree of Life” has deep symbolism, its
design is not complex. The natural imagery is intended
to be simple and uplifting to those who visit. The
memorial is now a place to come and reflect for donor
families, organ and tissue recipients and all others
affected positively by the mission of New England
Organ Bank.
You may visit the memorial at:
New England Organ Bank, 60 First Avenue,
Waltham, MA 02451
5
Thank You!
A heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed
to this edition of Reflections. If you have a story
or idea you would like to share with others,
please contact us. Your input continues to make
this publication an important resource.
Reach us at: [email protected]
Our Mission:
To save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation.
Want to learn more? Visit our newly updated website: neob.org
You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Stay Connected with the Mission
Like Us?
If you would like to continue to receive future issues
of Reflections please contact us:
Phone: (781) 373-7945 or (800) 446-6362
Email: [email protected]
GOING GREEN?
Find this newsletter on: neob.org
Suffer the Angel
In loving memory, for Andrea
By G. Gregory Tooker, November, 2014
There lived a lady of grace and kindness,
Who chose to serve those most in need,
The world’s children she wished to bless,
Touched all before her, each race and creed.
With voice and note she sought to heal,
Gentle strains that soothed one’s soul,
Suffering body quelled not her zeal,
Her eyes, her smile played a great role.
Less gifted students numbered many,
Through passing years she labored on,
Complaints of pain were few, if any,
Perhaps some day, discomfort gone.
And one day as she wove her magic,
Our angel called by unknown power,
Event her loved ones deemed so tragic,
Bid Earth farewell and climbed her tower.
Her energy, presence still remain,
Felt by all who had the pleasure,
To meet our angel, now free of pain,
Her memory, a lasting treasure.
6
Donate Life Volunteer Community
COMING IN 2016…NEW VOLUNTEER WEBINARS!!!
Webinars will provide you with an opportunity to learn about NEOB’s
Donate Life Volunteer Program; they are free and will be held evenings.
To participate in a volunteer webinar please contact us at:
[email protected]. Join a great team of individuals who
promote the benefits of donation through educational events and
outreach programs!
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
Promote organ & tissue donation by
placing a 5” x 5” DONATE LIFE car
magnet on your vehicle! To receive a
FREE car magnet or learn more about
volunteer opportunities, please
contact Jennifer Cray, Volunteer
Manager at: (617) 571-9582 or
Volunteer Opportunities Include:
College Campus Campaigns
Donor Drives
DMV Ambassador Programs
Sporting Events
Media Campaigns
High School Programs
Team Donate Life New England APRIL IS NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH
Each April, communities across
New England celebrate
National Donate Life Month.
Many do nor f am i l i e s ,
transplant recipients, living
donors and others touched by
donation reach out to their
town officials to host a
donation awareness event or
activity. These events allow
individuals to show their
support of organ and tissue
donation.
Virginia Champagne, NEOB volunteer, participating in Motor Vehicle Ambassador Program
New England Organ Bank
60 First Avenue
Waltham, MA 02451