“The decision to remove Liam’s ventilator was the most difficult decision we have ever had to make. However, when we were approached with the news that Liam could be a heart donor, we made the decision to donate without hesitation.”
Donor Mother: Babette
Babette and her daughter, Kayla, honoring Brianna at the Donor Dash.
Babette is a donor mother from Denver, CO. Her daughter, Brianna, passed away and gave the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. This is Babette and Brianna’s story.
Following a tragic self-inflicted accident, Babette says that Brianna was in the Intensive Care Unit for four days.
When we were told that she would not make it, we knew that Brianna wanted to be a donor, because she had asked her Daddy what the heart on his license meant.
Babette says she never knew that Brianna and her husband had discussed organ, eye and tissue donation before, until that moment.
I remember when my husband and I walked into the operating room to say goodbye to our daughter, the room was quite except for some beautiful music. We were worried about hearing the machines but it was so peaceful. We had our time to say our last words and tell her how much we loved her. We had time to kiss her and tell her how proud we were that she was doing this, we were never rushed and only felt love and compassion in the room.
Brianna helped people when she was alive and she gave the gift of life in her death. Babette says they know that Brianna saved at least three people with her organs and now these families have a second chance at life. She also saved and healed many through the gift of her tissue donation.
Our hope is that everyone thinks about this selfless gift to give, providing hope to other families. Although we have had to grieve the loss of our daughter, we are blessed and honored that she gave life to others.
Babette is an Advocate for Life, volunteering her time at events, media interviews and more in honor of her daughter, Brianna.