Cassidy Hess

Type of Donation:             Organ donor

Age and Location:             Age 16 – The Woodlands, TX

Donation Date:                  December 20, 2015

Sponsor:                               Honored by Dignity Memorial Providers of Houston

CASSIDY’S STORY

From the day Cassidy was born, she was the silliest, happiest and most free-spirited little girl!  She had a smile that lit up the room and a laugh that was contagious. Cassidy loved the outdoors and loved all it had to offer, including snow skiing, rappelling waterfalls, surfing, zip lining, cliff jumping, and even diving into mud puddles.

Cassidy started cheering in 7th grade and continued throughout high school when she made the varsity squad her junior year. She also cheered competitively and was so excited to win first place with her team at the National Competition.  She was very strong and committed in her faith, never missing church camp each summer.  Cassidy loved animals, especially her little pet pig she named “Bacon,” who quickly became the neighborhood’s mascot! Cassidy was such a loving daughter and a great big sister to her siblings, Hunter and Peyton. She kept her family laughing and was a joy to be around.

Cassidy had her whole world ahead of her, but on December 14, 2015, this beautiful and happy 16-year-old girl took her life. This devastation came as a horrific shock to her family, as she showed no warning signs before choosing to end her life that day. She was resuscitated and airlifted to Houston, where she stayed in the hospital for six painful days. After praying for a miracle, her family had to accept that God had other plans for Cassidy and they had to say goodbye to her one last time.

Because Cassidy had made the decision to be an organ donor, she saved the lives of three people by donating her kidneys and liver. Knowing that she gave new life to these recipients, helps heal her family’s wounds, as they know their beautiful girl continues to live on in this world. In Cassidy’s memory and honor, they have created the Cassidy Joined for Hope Foundation, with the purpose of preventing teen suicides. In sharing Cassidy’s story and spreading awareness of suicide prevention, teenagers are understanding that their life truly matters. More lives are being saved, and Cassidy’s light continues to shine.