Dylan Rotellini was a wonderful 18-year-old with a kind heart, contagious laughter, and incredible smile. "Dylan had an amazing gift of making every person feel special," said his mother Tammy. On March 21, 2013, Dylan was in a horrific car accident in which he sustained traumatic brain injuries. His wish to be a donor was honored, and he was able to donate tissue and corneas. Tammy affirmed, "In a time of horrible heartache and grief, we find comfort in knowing another family will have a second chance because of our wonderful son's generosity and love."

Dylan's Story

Dylan Anthony Rotellini was the most incredible 18-year-old young man. He had a loving spirit, kind heart, contagious laughter and incredible smile. "Dylan had an amazing gift of making every person feel special," said his mother, Tammy Rotellini, whose lengthy career devoted to increasing blood donation has been most recently with the American Red Cross Southern California Blood Services Region.

Dylan loved animals, biking and fishing, and was an avid motocross fan, winning his first motocross race the week prior. Dylan had just graduated high school and was invited to speak to his graduating class, but tragically that achievement was not to be.

On Thursday, March 21, 2013, Dylan went out with friends. Shortly thereafter, his mother received a call from Dylan's best friend: there had been a horrific car accident, and Dylan was in critical condition. Tammy prayed and prayed as she raced to the accident scene.

"As I followed behind the ambulance, I could see the paramedics working frantically but systematically on my son," Tammy recalled. "I could not help but think my life was never to be the same from this point forward." Tammy soon received word from doctors that Dylan would not recover from his traumatic brain injuries.

"I watched my son receive a blood transfusion and made the doctors aware of Dylan's wish to be an organ donor," she said. "I could not help but feel after all these years, my family was in the exact same place as hundreds of families I had served throughout my career in blood services."

Dylan was on life-support for eight days before his decision to donate was honored. "Our sweet, special and loving son's wish was to be an organ and tissue donor," said Tammy. "From our sweet son's generous gift, other families will be made whole. In a time of horrible heartache and grief, we find comfort in knowing another family will have a second chance because of our wonderful son's generosity and love.

"Dylan, we are so proud of you, our son. You are greatly loved, will be deeply missed, and will live on in our hearts forever."