In 1998, Joann Nixon and her husband Phil donated their 11-year-old son Christopher’s organs after he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. The Nixons’ journey was told in “Christopher,” a Peabody Award-winning TV documentary that has educated thousands of Indiana high school students about donation. In 2007, Phil was critically injured in a tragic home accident. When he died, Joann, a 62-year old teacher, and their sons Glen, Matt and Ryan honored Phil’s decision to be an organ and tissue donor.

Joann's Story

In 1998, Joann Nixon and her husband Phil donated their 11-year-old son Christopher’s organs after he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. The Nixons allowed a local Fort Wayne television station to document their family’s donation story in “Christopher,” a Peabody Award-winning documentary that has subsequently helped to educate thousands of Indiana high school students and countless others throughout the U.S.

The Nixon family was awarded the 2001 James S. Wolfe Courage Award by Donate Life America for their significant role in inspiring the public to support organ, tissue and eye donation. The family has also worked diligently with civic leaders to promote laws and erect traffic signs to help make their neighborhood a safer place to work and play.

In 2007, the Nixon family was touched by donation a second time when Phil was critically injured in a tragic home accident. When he died, Joann, a 62-year old teacher, and their sons Glen, Matt and Ryan honored Phil’s decision to be an organ and tissue donor. The Nixon family once again faced the tragedy of death with courage and generosity, showing others that life can go on for grieving families and for those who benefit from donated organs and tissues.