Remembering Our
Donor Heroes

At the age of 22, my beautiful son Sam Darnell made the decision to register to be an organ donor when updating his driver’s license after moving into his own apartment December 28^th, 2023. He had graduated from UT-Chattanooga with a Business Management degree and was starting life on his own.  Little did we know that a mere 25 days later, our boy would be gone and we’d be looking at fulfilling his desire to help others. Sam was my precious one and only boy and his dad’s favorite travel and adventure partner.

He was deeply loved by his family and dear friends and appreciated for his thoughtfulness and kindness to others in various roles he held in his life. He experienced a lot in his 22 years and enjoyed many exhilarating adventures around the country, lots of music concerts and theatre shows, and a long list of memorable moments we hold so dear. He had an engineering mind and always loved trains. He was planning to move to Chicago in the future and pursue his dream of working for the Chicago Transit Authority with his plan for improvements to the current rail system. Our Sam was always a truly good friend; he was loyal, intentional, openhearted, and generous in telling all those he loved how he felt about them.

His final act of friendship and care for others was in his decision to be a donor hero. The cardiologist at Erlanger upon examination of Sam’s heart said it was “beautiful.” He had no idea how wholly accurate that statement was! We are grateful for the staff with Tennessee Donor Services for helping us fulfill his wishes and know that our Sam lives on in those of us who loved him so and in those blessed to receive his gifts.