Antonio Bennett was a good child; he was always helpful and kind to others. His teenage years were a bit tough for him, but he made it through with flying colors. He was proud of himself and what he accomplished as he began to work on his music career. When his younger cousin started getting into trouble, Antonio became concerned and made it his mission to save him from what he had gone through. Antonio spent his free time with his cousin fishing and recording music, which both of them loved.

Antonio’s family was familiar with donation; his mother, Melinda Johnson, was the recipient of two donor corneas. Melinda remembered that “I stressed to Antonio and his sister how important it was for them to become organ donors and both agreed they would. When Antonio received his driver’s license, he honored my request.”

When Antonio died on June 4, 2008, at the age of 20, he donated one of his lungs, his liver and kidneys. “Antonio was an inspiration in his life and his death. There is no better way to describe what his legacy means other than doing what he did by showing compassion for others, living selflessly, and to see greatness within yourself as he would have already seen in you,” said Melinda.

Antonio’s death inspired his cousin and sister. They vowed to succeed to honor of him, and they are doing just that. They have been achieving their goals with the passion and commitment that Antonio instilled in them.

Melinda has been in contact with one of Antonio’s organ recipients and her mother. She acknowledged that “Now I can see how his gift has been a blessing to others. She has been able to progress in her life doing the normal things she may not have been able to do -- such as attending her senior prom. Receiving those pictures was a blessing to me, knowing that even though Antonio died, because of him, someone else’s child can live and enjoy life as he would have wanted.”