CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Over the last month three young people have lost their lives here in the Lowcountry and have donated their organs to those in need. Twenty-four year-old Brittin Penninger died earlier this week after a car accident last week in Mount Pleasant. Thirteen year-old Cameron Berry donated his organs after he died from brain injury in a golf cart accident in Dorchester County. Back in September, 15-year-old McKayla Matthews died after being hit by a car on Glenn McConnell Parkway.
But it's not just young organs in dire need in the state right now. Lifepoint, he organization that handles the state's organ donor registry says 90-percent of the people waiting for organs need a kidney. A spokesman says kidneys are in such high demand because of high rates of diabetes and high blood pressure.
Donors and recipients say it truly makes a difference to become a donor.
"He's the donor. He's given me a future I can only imagine for..." Samajema Davis read from a poem she wrote for the man who gave her a second chance. More than three years ago Davis battled disease that caused kidney failure.
"Worrying about all that and then realizing that you're going to get this transplant, it's just a burden lifted. It just meant my dreams could come true because before I wasn't sure," Davis said.
It was her brother, Coast Guard Commander Quincy Davis, who was a perfect donor match. Now she's healthy, she teaches, she's written a book, and she volunteers to increase donor awareness.
Read more and watch telecast: http://www.live5news.com/story/15733935/organ-donors-needed-statewide
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