On July 4, 2012, 17-year-old Caleb Andrew Holman went swimming at a friend's home, when an accident occurred that fractured his cervical spine. Despite his father Mike, the police chief, being a first responder, Caleb stopped breathing and died five days later. Caleb came from a family where donation was not only highly respected but also his mother Becky's profession; he signed up to be a donor when he received his driver's license. Caleb's gifts saved the lives of three people and improved the quality of life for more than 50 others with his cornea and tissue donations. His parents remain steadfast supporters who educate others about donation at every opportunity.

Caleb's Story

Caleb Andrew Holman was active in his church youth group and an Eagle Scout. On July 4, 2012, he went to a friend's home to swim and celebrate the Fourth of July, but a tragic accident occurred in the pool. His father Mike, the police chief of White Bluff, was on patrol that day and was one of the first responders. The doctors determined he had suffered a cervical spinal fracture and that his breathing had stopped at the time of the injury. Seventeen-year-old Caleb died on July 9.

Donation was nothing new to the Holman Family. Caleb's mother, Becky, had worked for DCI Donor Services for 22 years and is currently the Manager of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Control of the tissue bank. When Caleb received his driver's license, he had made the decision to sign up to become a donor. Caleb's gifts saved the lives of three people and improved the quality of life for more than 50 others with his skin, bone, soft tissue and corneas.

"Caleb's choice to be a donor was the one good thing that came out of this tragedy," Becky said. "We know he's going to help someone. They're going to get to go home to their families and have more time with their families."

Caleb's family viewed his passing as a chance to educate people about donation. At the visitation, they passed out Donate Life bracelets and set up a laptop with a sign about Caleb's decision to encourage others. Visitors actually signed up while at the funeral home to become donors. Despite their grief, Caleb's parents conducted media interviews on the day of his funeral to share his decision with the public.

Since Caleb's death, the Holmans have passionately continued to educate the public about the need for organ and tissue donation at numerous venues, including street festivals, at churches on National Donor Sabbath, and at the Angels Among Us Memorial 5k.

As Caleb's father Mike said, "Caleb got the big message. He got the big picture of what is important, and if it came to the point where he was no longer here, it was a big deal. He wanted to give on."