Justin Harrison
An organ donor saved Libbie Harrison ’s life, but not in the usual manner. Her life was saved by the gifts her son Justin gave upon his death. “For months following Justin’s accident, I didn’t know how to function in this new world; a world with no motherly duties,” Libbie said. “I was on a very shaky fault line. I had to do something or fall into the abyss.”
That something became volunteering for LOPA. It gave Libbie an opportunity to continue what Justin had started less than a year before his death—his own campaign to spread donor awareness after his grandfather died waiting for a heart transplant. In February 2000, Libbie began working at LOPA full time.
“Ever so slowly, purpose returned to my life,” she said. “My son may have died, but his legacy of life continues each time I share his story through community outreach. And I am privileged to be part of LOPA’s Donor Family Services program. With my personal experience, I can walk the families of our heroes through those first few months of their grief journey. I find a great deal of comfort in knowing that because I am Justin’s mother, I am able to help them.”
Justin saved five lives and gave sight to two people in 1997. They all continue to do very well. “He continues to save my life through my work with LOPA. Justin Harrison is my son and my hero.”
