CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Every year, thousands of people are placed on a national organ transplant list with the hope that one day they’ll receive a call that will change their life.
Terri Brooks held many titles in her life. She was a mother, daughter, sister, and a friend to many.
Now, after her death, and her family’s selfless decision to donate her organs, Terri can also be called a 'lifesaver.'
Terri Brooks is described by those she loved most as a hardworking, compassionate Christian who loved helping people in need. She worked in nursing homes as a CNA her entire adult life.
“One of her greatest joys of life was taking care of the residents,” her mother, Sally Mitchell, said.
When Terri died suddenly just one week ago at the age of 63, her mother and her son, Ian, were left with a decision they never thought they would have to make — whether or not to donate her organs.
Terri never registered herself as an organ donor, so when a transplant team approached the family with the chance to opt in for organ donation, at first, they were caught off guard.
“We thought that’s what we needed, that on the back of the driver’s license. That’s the extent of my knowledge about organ transplants. That’s when they told us that we could do it ourselves. I’m going, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that.’,” Mitchell said.
But in thinking of Terri's character and her lifelong dedication to helping others, the decision became clear to her family.
“In the words of Pope Francis, organ donation is a testimony of love for our neighbor," Mitchell said. "Terri loved and cared for people in need. We could’ve just said no. But like I said, I think Terri would’ve agreed.”
After deciding to donate Terri’s organs, staff at Christus Spohn – South lined the ICU halls to honor Terri and her family’s decision to donate her organs.
More than 100,000 people, including children, in the U.S. are currently waiting for their own life-saving organ transplant. Because of Terri’s family’s generosity, it’s possible that eight different people will have a second chance at life.
“Some of them will not get their organs in time," Mitchell said. "Therefore, my daughter has saved someone’s life. That’s how I feel.”
Last year over 46,000 lives were saved thanks to organ donations. If you would like to register to be an organ donor, you can visit Donate Life Texas's website.
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