Family Loses 6-Year-Old Boy, But From Death Comes LifeDonation May Have Saved 50 Lives




The emotions are still very real from the loss of a loving boy."He was full of life, all boy, lived in the moment. (We are) very grateful we was able to experience so much in short six years," said Marcia Wasielewski.

This year, the Wasielewski family is still preparing for a Christmas celebration. "All his ornaments are on that tree, his stocking is hung on our fireplace," Marcia said. But 6-year-old Adam won't be there to open presents along side his 11-year-old sister Emma.

Even at their darkest hour, the Wasielewski family made a big decision.

"When we realized that Adam wasn't going to survive, I really knew right away that I would contact Lifeline of Ohio," Marcia said.  And with that, Adam's tissue, heart valves and corneas saved lives.

"Knowing that he was able to give to other Ohioans, especially, and that his legacy would live on through organ donation, there was no question. That is the way I wanted to go," Marcia said.

Since Adam's death, thousands of dollars have been raised, from Adam bracelets to a golf outing, and much of the money was donated to Lifeline of Ohio.  From those donations, flowers have been purchased to honor those who donated life. Those flowers with donors names will be on the New Year's float in the Rose Parade, on the Donate Life float.

It's just another tribute to Adam, a boy who gave so much.

"He was a huge sports fan, and would think it was very cool he is going to be a part of the float on that day," Marcia said.  NBC4 broadcast a series of stories on organ donation called Your Gift, Their Hope. View it here.

To register to become an organ donor, visit www.lifelineofohio.org.