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Organ Donor
Age 11 ~ Terre Haute, IN
Donated on 5/7/11
at Riley Children's Hospital at IU Health

Honored by
Indiana Organ Procurement Organization (IOPO)


Eleven-year-old Noah Worthington was an All-Star baseball player whose team won the state tournament two years in a row. He was a voracious reader who was considered especially talented at fiction writing, and excelled at playing the piano – he even wrote his own music. On May 6, 2011, Noah was involved in a terrible auto accident with his friend Cale. Both were fatally injured. As an organ donor he saved three children and one adult. His mother Rhena said, "We feel it an honor and a privilege to have been the family of one of the greatest boys to have ever graced God's earth."


Noah's Story

Noah Worthington had a love for reading and writing stories. He read the complete "Harry Potter" series by fourth grade and "The Hunger Games" trilogy before most others had heard of it. Many of his teachers felt he was especially talented in fiction writing. He could often be found reading on his sister's bed while she did her homework.

It's not surprising that Noah's first word was "ball." He was an active boy who could be found outside hitting in his batting cage, shooting archery, riding his bike or scooter, and exploring the wooded area around his home. He started playing baseball at age four and was on the Riley Indiana All-Star team starting at eight. His team won the state tournament two years in a row and advanced to the final round of the Ohio Valley Tournament. Noah also played basketball and loved many other sports.

His mother Rhena recalled that "Noah also excelled at playing the piano. He played with a grace beyond what his years should have allowed as his hands glided along the piano keys effortlessly. Eventually, he wrote his own music."

On May 6, 2011, Noah was excited about attending a local high school baseball game with his friend Cale. On the way to the game, their car went off the edge of the road and crossed into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Both Noah and Cale, who were sitting in the back seat, were fatally injured. After a long night in intensive care, 11-year-old Noah was declared brain dead the next morning.

"On Mother's Day 2011, Noah offered the greatest gift any mother could receive: the gift of life coming from her own child," said Rhena. "Our loss of Noah gave a new life to three other children and one adult, as well as prayers answered for their families.

"We feel it an honor and a privilege to have been the family of one of the greatest boys to have ever graced God's earth. May we ever learn from our sweet boy, and be driven to leave our mark as he did, on every person with whom we associate. We are glad we can say, 'We knew and loved Noah Cole Worthington.'"