Tucson Girl's Organ Donation Resonates With Local Family
Weymouth Family's Thoughts With Christina Green's Loved Ones

Source: WCVB Boston

WEYMOUTH, Mass. --Shawnna and Tim Downey of Weymouth know all too well how much an organ donation can benefit a loved one's life. The Downeys' 3-year-old daughter, Caitlyn, was born with a seriously diseased liver but is now thriving thanks to receiving a partial transplant at the age of five months.

The Downeys' thoughts have been with the family of 9-year-old Tucson shooting victim Christina Taylor Green since hearing her organs were recently donated to a little girl in Boston.

“She was a Sept. 11, 2001 baby and so in 9 short years she did a lot,” said Tim Downey. “She’s going to continue on for a number of years to come. That’s something special, something that will helpfully give her family solace.”

It was unclear which Boston hospital did the transplant or the name of the girl who received Christina's organs, as hospitals rarely release such information.

The Downeys said that when Caitlyn is old enough to understand, they would tell her all about her donor, 22-year-old Jeff Powers.

Powers, of Worcester, donated his organs after being killed in a tragic fall.

Because it was mutually agreed, the Downeys and Powers’ family met and have become close.

“The first time I met them it was lots of big hugs and embraces,” said Shawnna Downey.

“We were thanking them profusely and they were thanking us,” said Tim Downey.

In Arizona, Christina's father has reportedly said he would love to meet the recipient of his daughter's organs.

"I'd give her a big hug," said John Green. "It's a blessing."

The Downeys said with organ donation, for every family that's grieving there are a number of families rejoicing. In their house, they keep a candle lit for Powers to never forget the life he gave them.