Stories
AJ: His donation gave others hope
Student, musician, beloved son, brother, and fiancé, AJ was diagnosed with alveolar soft part sarcoma, a rare cancer at age 24. Despite a tremendous fight, he passed away in January 2009. AJ's cornea donations gave a cornea transplant patient new hope and furthered knowledge of eye diseases through research.
Growing up, AJ was familiar with the topics of donation and transplantation. His father, Brian, is a Minnesota Lions club member and a cornea recipient. Because generous cornea donors restored his dad's vision, AJ had made sure that "DONOR" was on his first driver's license. If he could help another person in any way through donation, he wanted to do it. His cancer prevented all but eye donation, but AJ knew how precious was the gift of sight.
In 2010, AJ's memory was honored on Donate Life America's Rose Parade float, "New Life Rising." A rose, symbol of love, loss, and renewal, was dedicated to AJ and placed in the float's Family Circle Garden.
"New Life Rising" featured a soaring phoenix that represented life coming out of death. Donate Life America explained, "When people say 'Yes' to organ, eye and tissue donation, New Life Rises, giving hope and healing to those in need." It is hoped that those who saw the beautiful float on New Year's Day, will be inspired to rise up and join the 85 million Americans who, like AJ, registered to be eye, tissue, and organ donors.
AJ knew from a young age he wanted to help others through donation.