Casandra Anne Campbell was a fun, beautiful, generous young woman who "knew how to put a smile on everybody's face." When she turned 18, she checked "yes" for organ donation at the DMV. A year later, on April 19, 2011, Cassie passed away, but she was able to save five lives, including that of 25-year-old Gabby, who received Cassie's heart. The poignant meeting between Gabby's and Cassie's families garnered national attention when the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), featured it on its Lost and Found series. The producer of the show was so inspired that she signed up as well and unexpectedly died eight months later. Her gift saved and enhanced many lives.

Casandra's Story

Casandra Anne Campbell was a fun, beautiful, generous young woman who loved being in the spotlight. According to her father, Dave Campbell, she was a "popular social butterfly." Cassie's sister Brittany said that "She loved to make people laugh, that was something she did naturally. She knew how to put a smile on everybody's face."

Cassie had checked "yes" for organ donation at the DMV just one year prior to her death on April 19, 2011. She was able to save five lives, including that of another young woman, 25-year-old Gabby Preap. Gabby had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy after a virus attacked her heart at age 19. After more than two years of waiting for a new heart, and very near death, Gabby's life was saved by Cassie's gift.

The poignant meeting between Gabby's and Cassie's families garnered national attention when the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), featured it on its Lost and Found series. (http://www.oprah.com/own-lost-and-found/Second-Chances-A-Life-Saving-Heart-Transplant-Video).

The OWN producer, Angela Heller, was so inspired by their story that after the video shoot she immediately signed up to be a donor. She then urged all of her friends, through her Facebook page, to do the same. Eight months later, Angela unexpectedly died. Like Cassie, her gift saved and enhanced many lives.

Angela's inspired donation was noted at the end of another Oprah broadcast. "That tragically beautiful footnote to Cassie's story undoubtedly inspired countless others to give from their hearts and sign up as donors," said Dave. "Cassie's big heart continues to connect lives."