media center
2015 FLORAGRAPH

 JACOB KREBS

Organ, Tissue and Cornea Donor
Age 18 ~ Fredericksburg, Texas
Donated on 4/2/2013
at University Hospital, San Antonio, Texas

Sponsored by Bacterin


Jacob's accomplishments echo his young life of service. He excelled at cross-country and at being an Eagle Scout. Jacob always wanted to be a soldier, especially a Navy SEAL. On March 26, 2013 while training underwater, Jacob drowned in a tragic accident. Despite his family's prayers for healing, he was declared brain dead on April 1, just two years after signing up to be a donor. He was 18. His organs gave life to four people, while his tissues enhanced the lives of 40 others. His corneas helped one person to see, and contributed to research. Jacob's legacy of service and generosity is continually celebrated by his family through The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation.


Jacob's Story

Registering as an organ donor was a "no brainer" for Jacob Krebs. At 16, on the day that Jacob received his driver's license, he discussed with his parents his desire to register to be an organ donor. His mother emphatically agreed, not really thinking that the day to honor his choice would actually come.

Jacob's accomplishments echo the fact he lived a life of service to God, country, family and fellow man. He excelled in cross country, served as his high school's mascot, and was a top-performing Eagle Scout.

Since childhood, Jacob wanted to be a soldier, and he decided to become a Navy SEAL. On March 26, 2013, Jacob was training in hopes of a Navy SEAL career. He was practicing holding his breath underwater when the unfortunate drowning accident occurred. Despite his family's prayers for healing, he was declared brain dead on April 1, just two years after signing up to be a donor. His organs, tissues and corneas were able to give life to others on that day.

Jacob's entire community grieved his loss but also joined in the celebration of his amazing legacy. In the course of his life, Jacob served mankind through acts of service and kindness. In death, Jacob continued serving humanity through donation.

As an organ donor, Jacob saved the lives of four individuals through his gifts of both lungs and kidneys, his liver and pancreas. As a tissue donor, he helped to save or enhance the lives of 40 more people. As a cornea donor, Jacob gave the gift of sight to one individual and contributed to research for sight disorders and corneal procedure improvement with the other.

Jacob's family met his double lung recipient, a veteran who served as a medic in the Vietnam War. Jacob's legacy of service and generosity is continually celebrated by his family through The Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation that encourages others to become donors.