Donor mom, speaker, and author
My life changed forever when my 14-year old daughter, Laura, died suddenly from an aggressive brain tumor. In the midst of our shock and grief, my family made the decision to donate her organs. Laura’s liver saved the life of a 40-year-old teacher. Witnessing her legacy continue through another person — a woman with whom we’ve developed a special relationship — has transformed my understanding of loss, hope, and healing.
Since then, I have focused on helping others navigate grief and inspiring people to say “yes” to organ, eye, and tissue donation. I am the author of Permission to Thrive: My Journey from Grief to Growth and speak about grief, resilience, compassionate communication, and the power of organ donation. My work helps audiences understand that grief is not something to fix, but something we can learn to carry with greater compassion and connection.
Advocacy Experience
For more than two decades, I have worked with hospitals, organ procurement organizations, universities, and nonprofit organizations to educate communities about organ donation and support donor families. I serve on the National Advisory Board of Student Organ Donation Advocates (SODA) and have collaborated with Versiti Organ & Tissue on their employee resiliency program.
Through keynote presentations and workshops, I help healthcare professionals and community leaders better support people experiencing grief and loss.
Advocacy Interests
I am passionate about increasing awareness of organ, eye, and tissue donation while changing the way we understand and respond to grief. My work focuses on helping healthcare professionals communicate with greater empathy, supporting donor families, and empowering the next generation of organ donation advocates through education and storytelling.
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