Kaitlyn Ferrante

Organ and cornea donor

Age 21 – Coral Springs, FL

Donated on 11/21/2013

at Broward Health North

Honored by Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency

Kaitlyn was born on May 12, 1993. Growing up, Kaitlyn loved to dance, sing, laugh, and dress up her younger sister for her own amusement. She was a great student, an amazing friend and a caring sister. After finishing high school, she wanted to pursue her passion of being a neonatal nurse and she worked two jobs and babysat to earn extra money for shopping and going out with her friends.

On November 17, 2013, Kaitlyn’s life changed in a matter of minutes. What seemed as a fun, typical girl’s night out took a turn for the worst. She was in a car accident and after the doctors did everything possible to save her, her brain was too damaged, and she was unable to wake up. Her family stayed hopeful, but after realizing she was not going to wake up again, Kaitlyn’s family decided to donate her organs. Her heart, corneas, kidneys, liver and pancreas helped give the gift of life to others in need.

Kaitlyn’s Story

Kaitlyn Nicole Ferrante (1992-2013). Kaitlyn was born May 12, 1993 to parents Christine and Philip, their first baby. From the day Kaitlyn was born her future was already so beautiful and so bright in her family’s eyes, she was unstoppable to them. Kaitlyn was everything her parents could’ve hoped for; not only was she an incredible little girl as their only child but in the coming years she grew into being an incredible big sister to sister Ashley and brother Nicolas. Kaitlyn loved to dance, sing, laugh, and dress up her younger sister Ashley for her own amusement. In our family’s eyes, every day was an adventure; every day guaranteed laughs, love, unlimited hugs and kisses and the love was forever unconditional no matter what. Kaitlyn made friends no matter where she went; she was always the star of the show (even if she was just grocery shopping with her mom).

Kaitlyn’s early hobbies included playing outside, playing on the city league soccer team and participating in Brownies and Girl Scouts. Her interests changed to being with friends, family, shopping and of course finishing up school. It seemed as if this was the start at an amazing life as Kaitlyn finished school to pursue her passion of being a neonatal nurse, spent time with her long-term boyfriend Vinny, babysat, and juggled 2 jobs to even out her always necessary shopping trips. Kaitlyn also enjoyed baking, road trips or even just catching up on the latest shows with her friends, including her best friend Marisa who was just about inseparable from Kaitlyn.

It wasn’t until November 17th 2013 that we realized this picture- perfect life we enjoyed watching Kaitlyn create was going to be completely shattered in a matter of minutes. What seemed as a fun, typical girl’s night took a turn for the worst. At 3am our family received a knock on the door; it was a knock from police officers who are there to bring instant heartbreaking news “Are you the family of Kaitlyn? She was in a very bad car accident and is now in emergency brain surgery; you need to get there now.” With that thought came more heart-breaking news that her brain was too damaged, that she was unable to wake up. We stayed hopeful, we fought for her, but we put our faith in God and focused our love on Kaitlyn. When we were asked, “would you like to donate Kaitlyn’s organs?” I remember the blank thoughts, my mom and I staring at each other thinking we aren’t ready for this, nobody had discussed this, we just didn’t know!

After several talks with the transplant team, doctors, nurses and family we made one of the most beautiful and selfless decisions to date… to donate Kaitlyn’s organs! After all she wanted to be a neonatal nurse and save lives, we knew she would’ve wanted this! Kaitlyn’s heart, corneas, kidneys, liver and pancreas were donated. We couldn’t have picked a better option than donating Kaitlyn’s organs, it forever keeps her memory alive and allows her to live on in others giving the gift of life. And for that we are thankful!