Melissa “Missy” Dawn Fields – Donor

To the medical staff, she was Melissa.  To us, she is Missy.  She had a beautiful smile, freckles, 22 years old, a student at Eastern Kentucky University, daughter, little sister, aunt, grandchild, niece, cousin, friend and the list goes on and on.  To the families of those who were recipients of her selfless act of being an organ donor, she was honestly a miracle.  Missy was not only giving in life, but also in death.

Was it an easy decision for our family to donate Missy’s organs?  Well, there is no easy answer.  Yes, we knew Missy signed her driver’s license as well as talked to us about her decision to be an organ donor.  It was difficult because at that moment, we wanted to just cover her with warm blankets and bring life back to her.  We wanted our miracle, not to give miracles.  By donating her organs, we were admitting her life, as we knew it, was over.

Do we regret donating her organs?  NO.  Missy gave sight to a 19 year old and a 69 year old through the gift of her corneas.  Missy gave new hope to burn victims, through tissue that can be used in skin grafts.  We do not have her with us physically, but others do.  Knowing she lives on makes our grief journey a bit more tolerable  We are so proud of Missy’s decision to give the “gift of life”’ what a beautiful legacy.

(Story shared by Missy’s family.)