The friends of Brandon Curtis, the Springville High football player who died from injuries sustained in a July 27 Jeep rollover, are doing their best to ensure Curtis’ name is remembered. Last Saturday, a group of his pals — who call themselves “Closer than Brothers” — teamed up with the Quest for the Gift of Life and Intermountain Donor Services to attempt to break a Guinness World Record in Curtis’ name.
The record: the greatest number of people, 18 and older, to sign up as organ donors in an eight-hour period at a single venue.
The students crushed the previous record of 562, setting the new mark at 765. They signed up a total of 1,291 people, some of them after time had expired.
“Their goal was not to just break the record,” said David Nemelka, founder of the Quest for the Gift of Life. “The goal was to become better people and follow Brandon’s example. He was able to donate seven major organs and give seven people a second chance of life.”
The attempt wasn’t without suspense. With about an hour to go, about 400 people had signed up.
“I said to the kids, ‘Come on, we’re on the 5-yard-line. We need to get across,” Nemelka said.
Students returned to Springville’s Spring Acres Arts Park with adults in tow, willing to register. With time winding down, three buses of Brigham Young University students showed up, Nemelka said.
The group also tried to register 80 percent of Springville High students as donors. So far, about 50 percent have signed up. Nemelka said if four-fifths of the student body isn’t registered by Nov. 1, he and several Springville football players will shave their heads.
Nemelka also encouraged Springville principal John DeGraffenried to cancel the prom if the goal isn’t reached.
The record: the greatest number of people, 18 and older, to sign up as organ donors in an eight-hour period at a single venue.
The students crushed the previous record of 562, setting the new mark at 765. They signed up a total of 1,291 people, some of them after time had expired.
“Their goal was not to just break the record,” said David Nemelka, founder of the Quest for the Gift of Life. “The goal was to become better people and follow Brandon’s example. He was able to donate seven major organs and give seven people a second chance of life.”
The attempt wasn’t without suspense. With about an hour to go, about 400 people had signed up.
“I said to the kids, ‘Come on, we’re on the 5-yard-line. We need to get across,” Nemelka said.
Students returned to Springville’s Spring Acres Arts Park with adults in tow, willing to register. With time winding down, three buses of Brigham Young University students showed up, Nemelka said.
The group also tried to register 80 percent of Springville High students as donors. So far, about 50 percent have signed up. Nemelka said if four-fifths of the student body isn’t registered by Nov. 1, he and several Springville football players will shave their heads.
Nemelka also encouraged Springville principal John DeGraffenried to cancel the prom if the goal isn’t reached.
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