By Tracy Dang
Times Managing Editor, KATY TIMES
Michael and Sheree Jones may have lost their son Chad in a motorcycle accident last June, but they had much to celebrate for last week.
Katy mayor Don Elder Jr. presented Chad’s parents and his sister Jessica with a proclamation declaring Tuesday, Oct. 27 as Chad Jones Organ Donor Registration Day. The date would have been Chad’s 22nd birthday and brings awareness to the importance of organ and tissue donation.
“Chad donated his heart, liver and kidneys so four strangers could live happy productive lives with their families,” Sheree said. “We found out (the other day) that his heart went to a musician from Houston who is back playing different venues around town. We’re very happy for him. Hopefully, we will get to meet him within the next year.
“Unfortunately, this is not happening enough,” she said. “I feel there is a severe shortage of registered organ donors in our state. Texas has 400,000 registered organ donors, and Georgia has 3,500,000. I think this is pathetic statistics from one of the largest states in the United States.”
State Rep. John Zerwas also issued a resolution commending the family for promoting organ donation in the community, and area businesses, hospitals and schools helped honor Chad by hosting donor registration drives.
“If Chad’s organ recipients were standing here with me I assure you they’d endlessly express their gratitude,” LifeGift President and CEO Sam Holtzman told the Jones family as he addressed the council and others attending the meeting.
“Chad is a hero and his legacy is kept alive not only by your love but also by the gratitude of his organ recipients and their families.”
The 2006 Cinco Ranch High School graduate was traveling on Interstate 610 Saturday, June 6 when his motorcycle hit a six-foot bedpost in the roadway. The motorcycle hit the guardrail, ejecting him over the ramp onto Hwy. 59.
Chad suffered serious head trauma, as well as a broken femur and was LifeFlighted to Ben Taub Hospital. He underwent several surgeries and was placed on a life-support system. He died a week later after suffering from a massive stroke.
His death brought sympathy from not only those who knew and loved him, but also from strangers in the car and motorcycle community in the greater Houston area.
The family hopes sharing his story would encourage others to register to be an organ donor too.
“We’re just a family who does not want our son to be forgotten, who even though he died, can still be a hero and save many more lives, not just the four strangers he donated for,” Sheree said.
Katy mayor Don Elder Jr. presented Chad’s parents and his sister Jessica with a proclamation declaring Tuesday, Oct. 27 as Chad Jones Organ Donor Registration Day. The date would have been Chad’s 22nd birthday and brings awareness to the importance of organ and tissue donation.
“Chad donated his heart, liver and kidneys so four strangers could live happy productive lives with their families,” Sheree said. “We found out (the other day) that his heart went to a musician from Houston who is back playing different venues around town. We’re very happy for him. Hopefully, we will get to meet him within the next year.
“Unfortunately, this is not happening enough,” she said. “I feel there is a severe shortage of registered organ donors in our state. Texas has 400,000 registered organ donors, and Georgia has 3,500,000. I think this is pathetic statistics from one of the largest states in the United States.”
State Rep. John Zerwas also issued a resolution commending the family for promoting organ donation in the community, and area businesses, hospitals and schools helped honor Chad by hosting donor registration drives.
“If Chad’s organ recipients were standing here with me I assure you they’d endlessly express their gratitude,” LifeGift President and CEO Sam Holtzman told the Jones family as he addressed the council and others attending the meeting.
“Chad is a hero and his legacy is kept alive not only by your love but also by the gratitude of his organ recipients and their families.”
The 2006 Cinco Ranch High School graduate was traveling on Interstate 610 Saturday, June 6 when his motorcycle hit a six-foot bedpost in the roadway. The motorcycle hit the guardrail, ejecting him over the ramp onto Hwy. 59.
Chad suffered serious head trauma, as well as a broken femur and was LifeFlighted to Ben Taub Hospital. He underwent several surgeries and was placed on a life-support system. He died a week later after suffering from a massive stroke.
His death brought sympathy from not only those who knew and loved him, but also from strangers in the car and motorcycle community in the greater Houston area.
The family hopes sharing his story would encourage others to register to be an organ donor too.
“We’re just a family who does not want our son to be forgotten, who even though he died, can still be a hero and save many more lives, not just the four strangers he donated for,” Sheree said.
TO REGISTER TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR IN THE STATE OF TEXAS PLEASE VISIT DONATE LIFE TEXAS
Please click HERE to learn more about LifeGift
To register to be an organ donor in your state please click HERE
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