My brother Nicholas actually received a liver after the death of a donor. For 29 years, my brother fought hard, always with a smile, positive attitude and used his voice to educate others about organ donation.
He was a member of St. Clair Lodge #24 AF & AM (Secretary), Scottish Rite Bodies, and Ainad Shrine. He organized Blood Drives and Toy Drives for the Masonic Lodge. Nick was an Assistant Coach of the Litchfield Purple Panthers Football and Wrestling teams, member of FFA, Faith Lutheran Church in Litchfield, President of JILG ( Jobs for Illinois Graduates) and a member of Outreach Committee for Heterotaxy Connection. After his death, he was made into a honorary firefighter and his death was recognized by the state.
He was a devoted husband, a wonderful son, he didn't know a stranger, the best uncle and by far the best brother a girl could ask for. Our younger sister, Brittany, passed away when we were children at 8 and half months. She too was a donor.
Nicholas was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of guy. 8 open heart surgeries (Heterotaxy) a liver transplant (biliary atresia) and countless surgeries, hospital stays, and during his final 12 days, stage 4 Angiosarcoma.
He was our world and we miss him dearly. But we are so thankful for the 29 years we had with him and the impact he had on so many lives.
