Caroline Elizabeth (Ball) Bryant was born in Manchester, England. She loved pigs, her Doc Martens shoes, and playing with children, who seemed to recognize almost immediately that they had found a friend in her. In 1990, her family immigrated to the U.S., and Caroline entered 11th grade. She attended Southern Utah University, where she became particularly interested in abnormal psychology, and envisioned a career in law enforcement. In August 1993, Caroline met Utah National Guard Staff Sergeant Coy K. Bryant, and they married on January 13, 1996.

On August 1, 1997, when Caroline was 36 weeks pregnant with their first child, she and Coy were involved in a tragic car accident. Caroline suffered massive head trauma and was rushed to the hospital, where medical staff monitored the baby’s health and tried to control the swelling of her brain and 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 and passed away on August 2, 1997 at age 21.

“We had talked several times about the possibility of organ donation prior to the accident,” said Coy. “Although the decision to donate her organs was difficult, it was made easier because of our earlier discussions.”

Caroline was able to save six lives: 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). The Bryants have met and/or been in contact with most of Caroline’s organ recipients and their families.

A few weeks Caroline’s death, the Bryants received a letter from Intermountain Donor Services informing them that Tyla Newbold, a 16-year-old girl from Sandy, UT, 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. The Newbolds 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.

Caroline’s husband, Coy, remarried and his wife, Leia, has become a wonderful and loving mother for Carter, who now has two sisters, MaKenna and Payten. Carter is a happy, healthy, and bright 7th grader and deacon in the LDS South Mountain 5th Ward in his community.