DONATE LIFE ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS - KANSAS CITY, KANSAS

Faces Of Kansas City: Kim Harbur

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Nearly three years ago, Chris Brown returned home from Washington High School in Kansas City, Kan., and was really excited to tell his parents about something he had just learned in school.

After listening to the presentation, Brown was inspired and he immediately told his parents.

"I said Chris, 'Why do you want to be an organ donor?'" said Bob Brown.

And Bob Brown's son's answer was simple.

"The way he was so proud about it," said Bob Brown. "If he could, he wanted to help somebody's life after he was gone. About six month later, he got to."

On Jan. 26, 2008, a drunken driver plowed into Chris' car near 86th Street and State Avenue. He didn't survive the crash.

Later that year, Chris' parents accepted his high school diploma during an emotional graduation ceremony.

"Chris donated his heart and all major organs," Bob Brown said.

"He made the decision to be a donor, and he made it because he was educated about the choice, and look at what he did with that one choice," said Kim Harbur, from Gift of Life. "He saved eight lives and made 50 other lives much better."

After her son received a life-saving transplant at just 11 months old, Harbur made it her mission to educate others about organ donation. Through her Gift of Life organization, Harbur and others reach more than 20,000 local students every year.

"I wanted her to be recognized for the things she's done," said Tonya Brown

So Tonya Brown nominated Harbur to be the next subject of "Faces of Kansas City." It was Harbur who nearly three years ago had spoken to Tonya Brown's son, Chris, and his classmates about the importance of organ donation.

"It fills me to think I have done that and I have educated somebody," Harbur said. "A teen that was listening, took it to heart and expressed his wishes to his parents and unfortunately became a donor -- unfortunately became a donor."

A year after Chris' death, the young man who received his heart agreed to meet the Browns, and Tonya Brown had an unusual request.

"I put my ear up against his chest and it startled him," she said. "It was amazing to hear his heart beat again. I'd been waiting for that."

"One of the last things we heard at the hospital was his heart beating, before they took him back," Bob said. "It was a neat experience to hear it again."

Inspired by his son's wishes, Bob Brown sometimes goes along with Kim Harbur as she talks to students, and he has a powerful message to tell them.