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ABOVE: Fran says Kerry was a “fun, loving person who never met a stranger.” BELOW: Kerry hugging his sister Michelle.

The Ultimate Gift

Posted March 25, 2011

ABOVE: Kerry (center) with his mother Fran and his stepfather LeRoy Jarreau.

FOR YEARS, Fran Jarreau of Gonzales, Louisiana, has had a little red donor heart on her driver’s license. “I never gave it much thought until now,” she says. “Today, I see it as someone’s miracle, someone’s prayer that will be answered.”

A few months ago, Fran was blindsided by news that her oldest son, Kerry, had been declared brain-dead following a tragic tree-falling accident. “He was taken from us in an instant,” Jarreau says. “The first thing that comes to mind is, ‘This can’t be true—not my son.’”

As reality began to set in, the family, including Kerry’s two teenage children, faced a decision. A representative from the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) asked if they would consider donating his organs, most of which were strong, healthy, and viable for transplantation. For Fran, that choice was guided by two important factors—her faith, as well as a prior family experience with organ donation.

Fran recounts the story of sitting with her niece, Mitzi Colligan, at the bedside of Mitzi’s four-year-old son, Brent, at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. Suffering from complications from a seizure disorder, Brent spent three months in the hospital. In that time his family got to know many patients there who would die without transplants. (LOPA reports that more than 1,800 people are waiting for organ transplants in Louisiana alone.) When Brent passed away, his mother made the decision to donate his organs. It was a gift Fran never forgot, although she could never have foreseen facing that same decision just a few short years later. “Prior to Brent being in the hospital, I never really thought about those things.”

Now, she prayed for the courage to make the right decision herself. “I asked God to give us strength, and He did,” Fran says. “He helped me to think, ‘What if that were Kerry who needed a heart transplant?’”

The family decided unanimously to donate Kerry’s organs. Fran soon received news that six people had benefited from this ultimate gift. While she explains it is up to organ recipients whether they want to make contact with donors’ families, she “lives for the day” she might meet those who received Kerry’s organs. Until then, she is gratified by the miracle stories of all organ recipients.

“Recently, I was watching a show on television about a man who had received a new pancreas and kidney,” she says. “He was traveling to each state to talk about organ donation. Seeing him with his wonderful children and wife, so happy and so appreciative, affirmed how strongly I feel about this cause.”

It also affirms her belief that Kerry would have felt the same. “He was a fun, loving person who never met a stranger,” she says. “If somebody needed something, he would be there.” She notes that LOPA provides all donors’ families with a medallion commemorating their gift, and she plans to have Kerry’s placed on his headstone. “I want people to know that he gave the ultimate gift of life, and through his death, lives were saved,’” she says. “My son Kerry would be proud.”

FRAN JARREAU is an associate at Regions Bank in Louisiana.

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comments (38)

This is a very touching story, we never know when something like will affect us personally.

Andrea

Losing a child is the hardest thing any one parent has to go through. What a remarkable decision you and your family made. Others have the chance to continue on with their lives because of your strength. I know your son, Kerry is very proud of you and is looking down on you everyday.

L LeBlanc

What an awesome story.... To be able to help someone else in the midst of a tragedy. I pray that all will be blessed by the decisions made.

LaTarsha

Kerry was blessed while on this earth and in his passing, he has blessed others through organ donation. His family is very caring and has shown what they will do in the midst of a heart-breaking situation. They are to be applauded in their decision to help others. With their description of their son, I know he would be very proud of their actions after his death. God has used this circumstance to help others. BRAVO!!!!

Judy Bates

Organ donation is definitely the "Ultimate gift". This story is so inspiring and heart-warming. I think more of us need to be as generous as Fran and the rest of her family. God bless them.

Brittany

What a blessing Kerry's organs will bring to others. I pray that you get to know the recipients and be a part of your son living through them. Through tragedy, your faith ha strengthened you and your family. I also have organ donor on my license.

Shelia

This is a heartbreaking yet miraculous story. I too understand the feelings this family must have been facing. My nephew was barely 18 yrs old when he passed away from a head injury and was declared brain-dead. My brother had to make an immediate decision as to whether to donate his organs or not shortly after he was informed of the tragedy. As hard as it is to make this decision so soon after the death of your child he agreed to the donation resulting in saving the life of 5 people waiting on the donor list. Though we lost someone precious to us I feel as though he is a hero for helping others to live. I commend you for your donation as there are so many out there waiting for help. My nephew was also from Louisiana so I'm glad he was able to help others in his home state. God Bless you and your son for the sacrifice.

Cindy

My husband and myself were put through the same circumstance this past January with his daughters passing. With her organs donated so that others may continue living, so does parts of her.

Glenna Rogers

I have known two people that have received transplants. One received a heart, the other a kidney. Both have touched my life by sharing thier stories with me. Through that, I have a red heart on my license and have informed my family of my decision and have also encouraged them to do the same.

Mary

This story is truly heart warming. It shows how through death, we can still give life. I myself am an organ donor and reading this story reminds me why I made this decision. GOD bless Kerry's family and I pray they continue to find comfort in the gift that Kerry's passing has given to others.

Traci J Sanders

Your story touched me deeply because my younger brother is a heart receipent. On Sept. 9, 1998 he received his gift of life and is doing remarkablly well. Thank God someone was generous enough so he can see his first grandchild born in June.

April Kremer

Kerry was blessed that his family was strong enough in their time of sorrow to do the right thing. My son received a kidney and pancreas transplant five years ago this June due to complications from 28 years of diabetes. The family of his donor was strong and they also helped six people to live with their decision. May God continue to bless Fran and her family.

P Dunlap

I recently had two friend that sat with their grandson as he passed from this earth, the family never hesitated about donating his organs. God bless them and your family for the courage you showed.

Georgianna Emfinger

Bless you. You and your family are true blessings to this world.

Ann

The little red heart was once on my drivers license. While renewing it the last time, I thought, "No one will have use for any more organs," so I elected to remove it. I had no idea there was such a need here in Louisiana alone. After reading this story, and thinking that one day, I might be able to help someone in need, I am determined to be an organ donor from here on out. God Bless you, Fran.

Nichole

Truly a Blessing!! Thank God for Jesus!!! Mercy!!! May God always bless you and your entire family!

Adrienne Flowers

I believe the Gift of Life is the most unselfish and powerful act of Love. Your son touched many lives in this world. Thank you for carrying on his love legacy and giving life to others.

Carol

when my brother died from a motorcycle accident, we donated his organs.The decision was not hard, because Mark had requested this before he died. It was amazing all of the miracles that others were given because of him. We met a young boy who can now see, and two others who received his kidneys. Now, we are all organ donors, and hope to do the same one day.

BARBARA

This is amazing. Your son Kerry has touched the lives of so many people and he is being blessed abundantly. My nephew had a cornea transplant a few years ago and this has made such a big difference in his life. You and your family can rest in the knowledge that Kerry lives on here on Earth through those who received his gifts. May God Bless!

Debra Donovan

I watched a report on the number of organ donors and it's surprisingly very low! People are waiting when they don't have time to wait for organ donors and that's sad given the number of people that die due to vehicle accidents etc on a daily basis. I really believe in organ donation. This is a very touching story.

AJY

Thank you for sharing this story. By doing so, you may have saved countless other lives! God bless you and your family.

Tracey

I'm so touched by your story. God bless you and your family. I am so happy you shared this with your extended Regions family. My prayers are with you and your entire family.

Thomas Calmes

This is such a wonderful choice you and your family made. May God bless you.

Wanda

My heart and prayers are with you and your family.

Pam

This is the first story I have read on See the Good that has stuck with me. Thank you for sharing!

Misha

I also know, from experiencing the loss of my oldest son just last year, that losing a child is, without a doubt, the worst thing any parent could endure. When they came to us that day at the funeral home in Brandon, FL and asked if we would agree to his wishes to be an organ donor, there was no hesitation! Knowing that our loss was going to help someone else has helped and I know it has for you and your family as well. God Bless you all and know that your son is with you always, as we know ours is also. Remember... even though you have "Donor" on your drivers license, you still need to let your family know of your wishes!

Sylvia Ammons

It's a true blessing to have people that donate organs to save others' lives! God gave them a great heart. I would do it.... No doubt!!

C.G

I want to thank you for sharing this story. This is one that should not be silenced, but shared at every opportunity. This will have a huge impact on changing people's perceptions about being organ donors. It's an easy decision that can have dramatic impact on tons of lives. May God continue to bless you and your family.

Derek

In April, 2005, my 18 year old nephew had a head injury and after several days at Vanderbilt, he was declared brain dead. My sister decided to donate his organs and also received 6 letters about the individuals that received his organs. She has the medallion hanging in her house. She is amazing, and so are you for giving unselfishly.

Barbara Doles

Thank you for sharing your story. I, too, lost a son 10 years ago from a fall. Unfortunately, his organs were not able to be donated, but we did try. We never know what waits ahead of us and your family truly showed your love for others.

Debbie Johnson

Very touching.. to say the least. The goodness in people always perseveres even through life's darkest moments. God Bless You and your entire Family.

Dee Dee

I can't imagine losing a child, but the fact that another person's life can be saved is a great honor! I appreciate Fran sharing this inspiring story!

Lyndsey

Thanks to people who consider donation of organs, my husband was able to live 12 years that he would not have been able to, had someone not had organ donor stamped on their Driver license when they were killed in a motorcycle accident. He cherished each of those 12 years and was able to retire and golf and enjoy beautiful Florida the last 3 years of his life. I am remarried now, but I will always have organ donor on my Driver license, you never know when something may happen, and it would be awesome to know that I may help someone enjoy life a little bit longer.

Alita Jaqua

Your story was very touching. Thank you for sharing!!!!

Devin

This is an amazing story!! I applaud all who are willing to be donors. We need to leave life for those who desperately need it. My brother Mike needs a heart transplant and he has been on the list for 2 years now. I just pray that someone will be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save him.

FAY

What a wonderful story! Organ donation is something very close to my heart. My 34 year old husband has had 2 cornea transplants in the last 9 years. The gift that the donor (and their families) gave him is the gift of sight. He was able to see me walk down the aisle at our wedding and see our son when he was born. It's been a long journey, but without families like this it wouldn't have been possible. We are both organ donors ourselves and have no question about what we would do if ever placed in a situation to make a decision for a family member. God bless all organ donors and their families.

Gwen Youngblood

One month after wedding on Aug 8 2011, my husband received a call from the hospital to receive a kidney and pancreas transplant from a deceased person. It has been an awesome transition. I cannot express how grateful we are that a family like yours made a decision to improve our lives. God bless you

Lenora

One of my closest friends passed away and was blessed with the ability to donate life to many others. This inspired me to become an organ donor, and I hope stories like yours inspire others. Thanks so much for sharing this with us (:

Anna Butler