Missy Tipton’s 16-year-old brother Ransom was the centerpiece of a March 2007 episode of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”. Ransom’s death in a car accident, which Missy survived, came three months to the day after their family’s house burned to the ground. Ransom’s gift of life to five people inspired a nationwide surge in donor designations, with tens of thousands of people signing up with their state donor registries.

Missy & Ransom's Story

Seventeen-year-old Missy Tipton is a high school senior who stays very busy. She is captain of the Cherokee High School cheerleading squad, volunteers at a nursing home, serves as a junior coach for the Cherokee Warriors which consists of 8-to-9-year-old cheerleaders and maintains a full school load. She is a friend to many, loves a variety of music, and plans to pursue a journalism career. She has been offered a full scholarship to Rinehart College in Waleska, Ga. Missy is also a donor sister.

It was two years ago that the family’s home burned down. A few months later, Missy, her older brother Ransom and a close friend were riding in a car to get something to eat. Then it happened, a terrible automobile accident claimed the life of Ransom and their friend. Missy was the lone survivor.

Missy is proud of Ransom’s decision to be an organ donor, and glad her family followed through with his decision. Five people received life-saving transplants because of Ransom. Her family was selected by ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and their dream home was completed in early 2007. The program aired in March 2007 and inspired people throughout the country to sign up as designated organ and tissue donors.

She is honored and excited to be a float walker in the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif. She is ecstatic about the opportunity to represent her family and community in honor of her beloved brother Ransom.