2016 Kevin Daniel “Sunshine” Yates
KEVIN DANIEL “SUNSHINE” YATES
Organ and Tissue Donor
Age 25 ~Chattanooga, TN
Donated on 08/01/2011
in Chattanooga, TN
Honored by tds.dcids.org
On July 31, 2011, Kevin Daniel “Sunshine” Yates was on his way home from work. As he traveled on Highway 153 in Chattanooga, TN, he was hit by a drunk driver who was traveling north in the southbound lane divided by a concrete-barrier. Kevin died 31 hours later, and gave the most selfless gifts in the end. Kevin was able to save the lives of four people with his liver, kidneys, pancreas, and heart and enhance the lives of countless others with his tissue and bone donation. More than that, Kevin’s mother and brother started a nonprofit called 1N3 to educate people on the dangers of driving while drunk. Kevin’s drunk driver now serves as a spokesperson for the organization and over 3 million people have been touched by Kevin’s story, the dangers of drunk driving and the healing power of organ donation.
Kevin’s Story
On July 31, 2011, around 1:45 am, Kevin Daniel “Sunshine” Yates was on his way home from his job at Buffalo Wild Wings. As he traveled Highway 153 in Chattanooga, TN, he was hit by a drunk driver who was traveling north in the southbound lane divided by a concrete-barrier. Kevin died 31 hours later, and gave the most selfless gifts in the end.
Kevin Yates was 25 years old and LOVED life! He was most known for his smile that would light up any room. He was kind, compassionate, and would do what he could to help someone in need, even to his detriment.
Two years before Kevin died; he had a friend who died at 17. His friend was an organ donor and Kevin was inspired by his friend’s ability to save lives. It was at that point that Kevin decided that if anything ever happened to him, he too would be an organ donor. As a result of Kevin’s selfless decision, he was able to save the lives of four people with his liver, kidneys, pancreas, and heart. He also donated bone and tissue, enhancing the lives of countless others.
Not long after Kevin’s death, his family began the communication process with his recipients. On April 2, 2012, they received the first letter from Kevin’s heart recipient, 48 year old church pastor, Melvin Ellis. It was the best gift his family could have received that day, it would have been Kevin’s 26th birthday.
Three months later, Kevin’s family met Melvin Ellis for the first time. Melvin allowed the family to bring a stethoscope to hear Kevin’s heart beat again; it was like a family reunion. An immediate connection was made between the two families, and they now call themselves the “Finyatellison Family”. They continue to communicate and visit as often as possible.
In memory of Kevin, his mother and brother, Tiki Finlayson and Derek Yates, co-founded the non-profit, 1N3. The name comes from the statistic at that time:2011: ‘one in three of us are impacted by drunk driving.’ They share Kevin’s story in hopes to change people’s minds about getting behind the wheel intoxicated. Kevin’s family chose to forgive the drunk driver who took his life. She has served her time in prison and is now a spokesperson for 1N3. Since starting 1N3, over 3 million people have been touched by Kevin’s story, the dangers of drunk driving and the healing power of organ donation, which Melvin has been a part of on occasion.