Sue and Dave Pasewald tragically lost their 23-year-old daughter Christina in 2007. When the family was first asked about donation, Sue, still in shock, said "No," but Dave told her that this was something Christina would want to do. The couple said yes to tissue donation, and later learned that they had honored the donation sticker on Christina's driver's license. Today, Sue is a passionate volunteer for RTI Donor Services, speaking about donation in her community and sharing her story with others. "I have become aware of how many people are waiting for organs and tissues," said Sue. "Don't waste what could help someone else."

Sue's Story

Sue Pasewald and her husband Dave were blessed with five children: Ron, Julie, Amy, Christina and David. Their daughter Christina, only 23 at the time, was tragically taken from them in 2007. Sue and Dave feel blessed that Christina had a way about her that caused everyone who came into contact with her to love her, and that she achieved so much in her short life.

Sue and Dave will never forget the night Christina died. After receiving the phone call and racing to the hospital, they were immediately escorted to the trauma room. The Pasewald family remembers hearing the word "fatal." When the family was first asked about donation, Sue, still in shock, said "No," but Dave told her that this was something Christina would want to do.

The family went to be with Christina and told her they loved her and she was not alone. Sue remembers asking if Christina was gone and the nurse said, "Yes." Dave and Sue begged God to give their little girl back, but they knew God had other plans for her. Sue agreed with Dave, and Christina became a donor, helping many people live longer, fuller lives. The Pasewalds later realized they made the right decision when they learned that Christina had an orange donation sticker on her driver's license.

Sue said of the organization that handled Christina's tissue donation, "RTI Donor Services was wonderful and caring. It has been over five years and we are still not forgotten by RTI. You don't know how much this means to us and how much this helps us know that Christina has not been forgotten. It is so hard because most people think we must be over it. To watch your child die is just unbearable; you don't get over it. The compassion we have received from RTI has helped us go on."

Dave and Sue have been happily married for many years and credit their love and faith with keeping them strong through this trying time. In addition to their five children, they have six grandchildren and another grandson on the way in 2013.

Sue is very passionate about organ and tissue donation and serves as a Donor Family Ambassador volunteer with RTI Donor Services. In addition to having a donation booth at work, she enjoys speaking about donation, sharing Christina's story and providing donation information to others throughout her community.

"I have become aware of how many people are waiting for organs and tissues," affirmed Sue. "It makes me even more eager to spread the word of how just one person can help so many. Don't waste what could help someone else. Our beautiful daughter's memory lives on forever."