On May 12, 2011, Eric Smith, 23, graduated from Temple University. Exactly one month later, on June 12, he was in a fatal auto accident. On the way to the hospital, his mother, Mary Louise Smith, saw the Gift of Life building. "That's when I knew," she said. "We wanted to honor Eric's wishes and give others the chance that Eric was not able to have." As a result, many people were given a second chance at life: The 26-year-old man who received Eric's heart was thrilled to meet his second daughter. A 54-year-old-man received Eric's liver. Two people regained their sight with Eric's corneas. The Smiths met the 37-year-old woman who received Eric's left kidney and pancreas, and the man who received Eric's right kidney. She noted that "When meeting the organ recipients, their gratitude entered the room before they did - it was huge."

Mary's Story

On May 12, 2011, Eric Smith, 23, graduated from Temple University. "After he accepted his diploma, he held it high for us to see. We were on top of the world," exclaimed his mother, Mary Louise Smith.

While preparing a guest count for his graduation party, Eric told his mother that he didn't want to have to decide which of his friends to invite, he loved them all and had friends from all walks of life. "He told me that if I ever had to plan a funeral for him, I would be amazed by how many people would attend," recalled Mary Louise. "Next he said, 'Mom, I have this incredible feeling that I am going to go places and do great things.' I gave him a hug. I had no doubt that he would."

Exactly one month after his graduation, on June 12, Eric was in a serious car accident. On the way to the hospital, Mary Louise told her family that she thought they were going to be facing some difficult decisions. As they drew close to the hospital, she saw the Gift of Life building. "I knew," said Mary Louise. Upon arrival at the new hospital, they learned that Eric had been declared brain dead.

"We wanted to honor Eric's wishes and give others the chance that Eric was not able to have," she recalled. " We agreed to donate his organs, bone and tissue. Our Eric was going to go places and do great things."

Eric has since been honored in many ways: His fraternity, Gamma Iota Sigma, "threw us a life line" when they announced they were going to fundraise to underwrite a room in Eric's memory at The Family House. Temple University named an award in his memory and invited Mary Louise to share information about his organ recipients. This past April, she joined a group of family members and participated in The Dash for Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness. In August, on Eric's birthday, Mary Louise held a fundraiser for The Family House.

As a result of Eric's generous spirit, many people were given a second chance at life: The 26-year-old man who received Eric's heart was thrilled to meet his second daughter. A 54-year-old-man received Eric's liver. Two people regained their sight with Eric's corneas. The Smiths met the 37-year-old woman who received Eric's left kidney and pancreas, and the man who received Eric's right kidney.

Mary Louise said candidly that "When meeting the organ recipients, their gratitude entered the room before they did - it was huge."