But on a fateful day in 2007 a drunken driver took his beloved Ashley in a fatal car crash. Ten months later, overcome with grief, Rivera claimed his own life on March 22, 2008.
This series of incredibly horrible events has a silver lining. Rivera, 22, was an organ donor.
After his suicide, coroner's officials were able to use the veins in his heart to save five others. The skin from Rivera's tall, broad frame was used to change the lives of people with skin cancer. His bones and tendons were salvaged for the benefit of perfect strangers.
Rivera's friends and family gathered on Saturday at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary to create a floragraph that will be featured on the "Donate Life" float entry in the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 2.
"It means the world. It feels like my son didn't die in vain," said Rivera's mother, Carol. "He has touched so many lives. He has inspired so many people to become (organ) donors. All his friends have signed up."
Read more:http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_19516556?source=rss#ixzz1gKpOe5RI
0 COMMENTS:
Post a Comment