Rylee Marie Jackson

Type of Donation:          organs

Age and Location:          Age 3 1/2 months – Burns, OR

Donation Date:             11/04/2018

Sponsor:                   Honored by Student Organ Donation Advocates

RYLEE’S STORY

Rylee Marie Jackson was born on July 15, 2018, and she was a gift from the beginning. Rylee's young brothers could not get enough of her. They would take turns playing with her on the floor, admiring and talking to her. When she would grab onto their fingers, they would light up with excitement. Both boys took pride in taking care of their little sister.

On one occasion, they pushed Rylee around a park and gathered all the dandelions they could find. Rylee smiled and laughed, her eyes lighting up with joy and wonder, as she watched her brothers shower her with flowers.

In October 2018, Rylee got sick. While at the hospital, one of the nurses told the family that Rylee means courageous, so they began calling her their courageous miracle and decided she loved butterflies and the color purple. While Rylee's body began recovering, her brain did not. When the family was told that Rylee was likely brain dead, they asked about organ donation. Her family wanted Rylee to be a courageous miracle for others. On November 4, Rylee donated her heart, liver, and kidneys. She did something miraculous that day when she gave three other families hope. Organ donation did not take her family's grief away, but it did make it easier to carry.

This experience taught Rylee's family just how vital organ donation is, not only to the recipients, but also to the families of the donors. The loss of their daughter shattered their very souls, but through donation, before they had even left the hospital, they were able to start rebuilding themselves in a way that would be strong enough to carry their new grief. Through donation, the family has been able to grasp hope for themselves and share it with others. While they asked about organ donation to save others from the grief they felt, it turns out donation helped save them as well.

The family is honored that Rylee will be highlighted by Donate Life on their Rose Parade float and hope her story will encourage others to consider organ donation.