Elijah Lee was 35, strong, handsome and funny. January 20, 2007, he became the victim of a drive-by shooting. At the hospital, the donation coordinator made room next to Elijah over so that his wife, Tracy could lie beside him. Tracy recalls, "My eyes filled with tears; I was able to lay my head on his chest for nearly two hours. I closed my eyes and slept snuggled up to him." As helicopters arrived, Tracy recalled, a nurse came in and said, 'Do you hear that? All that's for him.' I was so proud at that moment. His gift of life was going to save others," said Tracy.

Elijah's Story

Elijah Lee was 35, strong, handsome and funny. Elijah was a loving husband and father, and a good friend. He coached both his son's and daughter's basketball teams and participated as assistant football coach. He loved sports, music and making people laugh. He encouraged those around him to become better and stronger. He became a hero and he didn't even know it.

January 20, 2007, he was standing in someone's yard when he became the victim of a drive-by shooting. He was determined brain dead two days later, just three weeks before his tenth wedding anniversary.

"The last day I saw him was such a blessing. I knew that then and I know it now," said Elija's wife Tracy. The OneLegacy coordinator explained everything that would happen during the final hours, but they only thing Tracy heard for sure was, "We will move him over so that you can lie beside him." Tracy recalled, "My eyes filled with tears and my heart smiled and ached at the same time I was able to lay my head on his chest for nearly two hours. As the ventilator breathing for him moved his chest up and down, I closed my eyes and slept. I was snuggled up to him as close as I could be with my arm round him. It just reminded me of when we would lie in bed keeping each other warm and watching television or talking about life."

Their serenity was broken when a nurse came in for one last check of vital signs before surgery. As she stood at the monitor, Tracy could hear the helicopters flying in. They were filled with teams of surgeons coming in to take care of Elijah. His gift of life was going to save others. "The nurse said 'Do you hear that? All that's for him.' Tears began to run down my cheeks. I was so proud at that moment," said Tracy. A short time later the coordinator came in and said "Tracy, it's time." Tracy climbed down from the right side of the bed and walked around to the other side were she gathered her things and kissed Elijah goodbye.

"OneLegacy was amazing and has become part of our family," said Tracy. "Our children have also received support beyond measure from Comfort Zone Camp. We are truly blessed to have been able to share our story.".