Justin Harrison was a beautiful, kind-hearted 15-year-old. When his grandfather died waiting for a heart transplant, Justin told his mother that "If more people knew about organ donation, my PawPaw would still be alive. Mama, we gotta tell people." Less than a year later, on August 20, 1997, Justin was getting into a friend's truck on his way to school when he slipped and hit his head. He was pronounced brain dead that night. Through donation, Justin was able to save five lives and restore the sight of two people. His mother Libbie Harrison affirms that "Not a day goes by that I do not do something to continue what Justin started - telling people about organ and tissue donation."

Justin's Story

Justin David Harrison was a beautiful, blue-eyed, kind hearted, eager young man. He loved everything about baseball, as he spent most of his time playing and watching the game. At 15, he was a six-foot, all-star athlete overflowing with life.

Justin embraced donation when his grandfather (his "PawPaw") died waiting for a heart transplant. Justin made sure his parents knew that if anything ever happened to him that he wanted to be a donor. "If more people knew about organ donation, my PawPaw would still be alive," Justin shared with his mother, Libbie Harrison. "Mama, we gotta tell people." Never underestimate the power of a teenage voice!

Eleven months later, on August 20, 1997, Justin left for school in his best friend's new pick-up truck. Justin and his friend were stopped behind a school bus, and Justin jumped into the back of the truck to talk to some friends when he tripped and hit his head. In spite of the life-saving procedures, Justin was pronounced brain dead later that night.

"As I sat there, holding his hand, begging him to wake up, pleading with God to spare my child, I realized Justin wasn't going home with me," Libbie remembered. "God did indeed hear my prayers as I held Justin's hand all through that horrific night."

Justin saved five lives and restored sight to two people. Libbie has met Justin's heart recipient, who has enjoyed 17 more years of life because of his donation.

"I have never regretted honoring Justin's wishes for organ donation. In fact, I believe that donation has been my greatest source of strength since my son died," acknowledged Libbie, who now works with Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA), her area organ recovery agency. "Not a day goes by that I do not do something to continue what Justin started - telling people about organ and tissue donation. It's what I have left that I can do for Justin. My son, Justin David Harrison, is my hero!"