On August 1, 1997, while she was 36 weeks pregnant with her first child, Caroline Bryant and her husband, Coy, were involved in a tragic car accident. When the baby’s heart rate became too high, an emergency Cesarean section delivered the child safely. Carter James Bryant was born on August 1, 1997; his mother died the next day. After the transplant the Bryants met Tyla Newbold, the recipient of Caroline’s liver, who gave Carter a quilt – which he sleeps with every night – in honor of his mother. The families continue a friendly relationship, so it is especially meaningful that Carter and Tyla will ride the Donate Life float together.

Carter's Story

On August 1, 1997, while she was 36 weeks pregnant with her first child, Caroline Bryant and her husband, Coy, were involved in a tragic car accident. Caroline received massive head trauma and was rushed to the hospital, where medical staff monitored the baby’s health, tried to control the swelling of Caroline’s brain, and maintained the blood pressure of both mother and child. When the baby’s heart rate became too high, the decision was made to conduct an emergency Cesarean section to save the child. Carter James Bryant was born on August 1, 1997. Caroline never regained consciousness; she died on August 2, 1997.

“We had talked several times about the possibility of organ donation prior to the accident,” said Coy, “and although the decision to donate her organs was difficult, it was made easier because of our discussions.” Caroline ultimately was able to save six lives through the donation of her organs: a 21-year-old woman (kidney), a 42-year-old woman (heart), a 57-year-old man (lung), a mother of two (pancreas), and a 16-year-old girl (liver).

A few weeks later, the Bryants received a letter from Intermountain Donor Services informing them that Tyla Newbold, a 16-year-old girl from Sandy, Utah, had received Caroline’s liver. The two families met, and in December 1998, the Newbolds invited the Bryants to their home during the Christmas holidays. They gave Carter numerous presents, including a quilt that Tyla had made in appreciation for the gift that Caroline had given to her. Carter still sleeps with that quilt every night. The families continue a friendly relationship, so it is especially meaningful that Carter and Tyla will ride the Donate Life float together.

Coy eventually married again, and Leia has become a wonderful and loving mother for Carter, who now has two sisters, MaKenna and Payten. Carter is now a happy, healthy, and bright seventh grader and deacon in the LDS South Mountain 5th Ward in his community.