Hilary Crawford Bradford was a nurturing person who enjoyed making people laugh and feel good as much as she enjoyed helping others as a registered nurse. Her mother Bettsy became a non-directed living kidney donor, and Hilary had spoken of doing the same. Shortly after Hilary's 36th birthday, she was shot while protecting her son from his mentally ill, biological father. "As a family, we know that Hilary is at peace and smiling because she saved her sons from an abusive situation, and she saved five lives with her organs," said Bettsy. "That's what a super mom does."

Hilary's Story

Hilary Crawford Bradford was a nurturing person who enjoyed making people laugh and feel good. Her greatest joy was being a wife to Thomas Bradford and a loving mother to John and Samuel. She made sure they had the very best and set high standards when it came to learning and education.

As a single mother, Hilary went back to college and earned her nursing degree and license. She was a proud registered nurse on the Oncology and Psychology floors of Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA.

Hilary turned 36 on July 7, 2009, just one week later on July 14th she was shot while protecting her son from his mentally ill, biological father. Three days later, she was declared brain dead.

Hilary's family had embraced organ donation long before her death. Her mother Bettsy became a non-directed living kidney donor, and Hilary had spoken of doing the same. Not only was Hilary a registered donor, she had informed her husband and parents of her decision. Hilary was able to save lives by donating six organs: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. Her family was happy that she was going to be remembered in this way.

"As a family, we know that Hilary is at peace and smiling because she saved her sons from an abusive situation, and she saved five lives with her organs," said Bettsy. "That's what a super mom does."