VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — In the state of Indiana, over 1,000 Hoosiers are waiting for a live-saving organ transplant. It can all start with a heart on an Indiana driver’s license.
For one local family, their decision to donate, saved a life.
11-year-old Noah Worthington, a Terre Haute boy who was full of life, loved sports, and enjoyed playing the piano.
In May 2011, a tragic car accident claimed Noah’s life.“The doctor came in and told us he wasn’t going to make it. And they asked if we considered organ donation,” said Noah’s father, Wil Worthington. “I have to be honest; it made me mad. I had never considered it. I was not prepared for that question, neither was my wife. We told them to get out. No one is getting a part of him.”
After time to reflect as family, the Worthington’s made the courageous decision to donate Noah’s organs.
“I almost felt like if Noah were talking to me and he said, ‘Dad don’t let tragedy breed tragedy,” stated Mr. Worthington.
The family’s decision connected them to the Indiana Donor Network, where their lives changed forever.
“There are over 100,000 people on the waiting list,” said Shelbie Reed. “The importance of having those tough conversations with your family about your wishes on whether or not you would want to be an organ donor upon your death, is so important.”
Shelbie Reed is a family advocate for Indiana Donor Network. But her first experience with organ donation was when she was just a teenager – through Noah’s story.
(Noah) was able to gift and save lives through donation. I got to watch at a very young age that family make a beautiful decision to honor their son, and do it with so much grace,” said Reed.
Years later, Shelby’s family would face a similar decision, with her own father’s passing. Shelby’s father Trevor, organs would go on to positively impact multiple individuals.“It became very clear to us that the next step would be to honor him, as he gave the gift of life through organ donation. Similar to how Noah Worthington did all those years ago,” recalled Reed.
Because of the Worthington’s selfless decision to donate their son’s organs, Noah saved five lives.
“Our son Noah saved the life of five individuals, and one of them was a girl from Alabama who received his heart,” said Mr. Worthington.That girl was named Greer Underwood. A 9-year-old girl from Alabama who was needing a lifesaving heart transplant. The best part, the surgeon said it was a perfect match.
The Worthington and Underwood families would grow a bond over the years. From visits in Indiana, all the way down to Alabama. This past summer, both families reunited to celebrate Greer on her wedding day, and with her, a piece of Noah.“Greer was so beautiful. Greer’s brother walked my wife down the aisle, and I walked behind. They really made us a part of it,” said Wil Worthington. “It’s something I don’t think we will ever forget. To sit back and see our son’s heart is still making differences in the world.”
Although from all different walks of life, the Worthington’s, Shelby Reed, and Greer Underwood have all been touched by the Indiana Donor Network.“One organ donor can save up to 8 lives with the gift of organ donation and can almost save up to 80 more with the gift of tissue donations. So, the extent of how you can help somebody through donation, just goes, and goes, and goes,” said Family Advocate for Indiana Donor Network, Shelbie Reed.
“Prepare yourself, if you think about what can happen. Becoming an organ donor, or signing up, or putting the heart on your license. It makes a huge difference where we create the miracles,” said Noah’s father, Wil Worthington.
Despite age or medical history, anyone can sign up to be an organ donor. There are four main ways that Hoosiers can sign up to become an organ donor:
They can say “yes” when conducting business at their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch.
They can sign up online at DonateLifeIndiana.org.
They can sign up when they apply online for a hunting, fishing or trapping license through the state Department of Natural Resources.
They can say “yes” through the Health app on their iPhone or iPad.
For more information about the Indiana Donor Network click here.
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