David Martin Nelson, Jr. was a gentle soul with a great deal of empathy and compassion for others. On July 10, 2006, David died from an aneurysm. "During the next two days, there was a constant flow of family and friends at the hospital and we learned just how far David's caring and compassion reached," said his mother Patricia. Inspired by his early commitment to being an organ donor, David's family and friends created the David Nelson Jr. Memorial Fund to raise money for scholarships for children of donor parents.

David's Story

David Martin Nelson, Jr. was a gentle soul with a great deal of empathy and compassion for others. He was a wonderful son, the best big brother to his sisters, Kaitlyn, Kyle and Alison, and a true father figure to his stepdaughter Camryn.

Growing up, he spent summers with his family at the Jersey Shore, where he developed a great passion for the beach. Each New Year's Day for 22 years, David proudly marched and danced with the Jokers NYA in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade. In 2004 and 2005, he participated with the Jokers in Fantasy Fest in Key West, FL, which allowed him to bring his two passions together.

On July 8, 2006, David was found unconscious and diagnosed with an aneurysm. "During the next two days, there was a constant flow of family and friends at the hospital praying for his recovery and we learned just how far David's caring and compassion reached," said his mother Patricia. David died on July 10 at the age of 26; in his passing he was able to donate both organs and tissue.

Inspired by his early commitment to being an organ donor, David's family and friends created the David Nelson Jr. Memorial Fund to raise money for scholarships for children of donor parents. Having witnessed first-hand the tremendous value of organ donation, David's family actively participates in the annual Dash for Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness 3K Walk/5K and 10K Run.

When Patricia posted photos of the Nelson family participating in the 2007 Dash at the local high school where she worked, sophomore Alvin Rasheed Way was inspired to create a Gift of Life Club. In 2008, 32 students participated in the Dash. In 2009, when the team grew to include more than 200 students, Alvin tragically died as he crossed the finish line of the 5K event.

"Today, we continue to remember David and Alvin at the Dash and recruit students from other neighboring high schools," said Patricia. This year's team numbered more than 450 members.

"Our family and friends are committed to sharing David's compassion and desire to help others," Patricia continued. "We are grateful to have had him in our lives and proud to remember him by supporting the children of donor parents and encouraging others to become donors."