Caitlyn Persinger was 13 years old when she lost her brother Chris in a car accident. Chris had signed up to be a donor, and his tissues were recovered to help others. After Chris died, Caitlyn turned toward the one passion that Chris and she had shared: sports. A standout high school athlete, during a soccer game she tore her ACL and meniscus. In a miracle of fate, one last remaining tissue from Chris's donation was used to reconstruct Caitlyn's ACL. "I always knew Chris was watching over me, but I never thought he could be a part of me like he is now," said Caitlyn.

Caitlyn's Story

Caitlyn Persinger was 13 years old when she lost her brother Chris in a car accident. Chris had signed up to be a donor, and his tissues were recovered to help others.

After Chris died, Caitlyn turned toward the one passion that Chris and she had shared: sports. When she was on the basketball court or soccer field, nothing else mattered. She found a source of peace and comfort, and his memory continued to motivate her.

At the age of 17, Caitlyn was a standout high school athlete. During a soccer game, she was going in for a tackle, when she tore her ACL and meniscus – a devastating injury for an athlete entering her senior year. In a moment, her future dreams were suddenly put on hold and the one place that Caitlyn had found solace was taken away from her. With an expected six to ten month recovery, the emotional and physical turmoil was difficult to face.

In a miracle of fate, less than 24 hours before her ACL surgery it was discovered that there was one last remaining tissue available from Chris' donation: a posterior tibialis tendon, the exact tissue that Caitlyn's surgeon preferred to use for allograft ACL reconstruction.

Chris' donor tissue arrived at the hospital just hours before Caitlyn's surgery and Chris's 64th and final gift and was found to be perfect for Caitlyn's knee. "I always knew Chris was watching over me, but I never thought he could be a part of me like he is now," said Caitlyn.

After five months of hard work and determination, Caitlyn was released to play sports. She was able to finish her high school sports career on a high note.

Chris Persinger's choice to be a donor did make a difference in this world. His tissue donations helped 64 people in eight states and three continents. He was also able to donate his corneas to share the gift of sight. Chris's choice and his gifts serve as a reminder of who he was, and the impact he made through his life and in his death.