Christopher “Blake” White grew up as the youngest of three children. Blake accomplished just about everything he set out to do. At age 19, he had mastered the skills of a hibachi chef and worked at a Japanese restaurant.

On New Year’s Day, 2008, 20-year-old Blake set out on his Yamaha sport bike. He slipped on ice less than a block from home and was seriously injured. At the hospital, family and friends came together and prayed for four days before letting Blake go.

Blake’s mother, Nancy Trapp, remembers talking to her only son shortly before the accident about a friend’s sister who needed a kidney transplant. According to Nancy, Blake stated that “if anything were to happen to me, give all my parts away.” That January, Blake saved five lives.

“The gift of life has been very special to me. I can go into the good and bad emotions from this experience, but most of all I feel fortunate to have been able to give life on Blake’s behalf,” said Nancy. “Knowing that others are alive and enjoying life because of Blake’s donation makes his life even more important.”

Blake’s friends started a MySpace page for him and it includes an entry from Nancy. “It helps that Blake’s friends honor and remember him this way. Blake was best at being a friend,” said Nancy. “His friends call and visit often. It helps all of us stay connected, not only to each other, but to Blake, too.”

To honor Blake, his family started the Blake White Memorial Foundation, which helps to purchase memorial markers for families who have lost children. Blake’s family also nominated him for the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the Red Cross and the KY3 Broadcasting Company’s “Everyday Hero” award.

“In spite of the pain we feel and how much we miss him, it is comforting and healing to celebrate his life every day,” Nancy affirmed. “Blake will never be forgotten by anyone he has ever touched. He is my everyday hero.”