Elizabeth Ann Logelin (Goodman) was a wonderful, smart, gorgeous, 30-year old woman, with a bright future and limitless potential ahead of her. Liz and her husband Matt traveled the world, searching for their next adventure, looking forward to a lifetime of excitement and fun together. On March 24, 2008, Liz gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Madeline Elizabeth, seven weeks before her due date. The next day, as Liz excitedly prepared to hold Madeline for the first time, she collapsed in Matt's arms and died. When approached about the opportunity to donate, Matt knew the answer. "She would want this. She would want someone to live on and live better, thanks in part to her, and because of this, Liz lives on."

Liz's Story

Elizabeth Ann Logelin (Goodman) was a wonderful, smart, gorgeous, 30-year old woman, with a bright future and limitless potential ahead of her. She was the person that everyone wanted to know and get close to, thanks in part to the smile that was constantly on her face, and the infectious laughter that echoed from deep within her. "I was the one lucky enough to be closest to her, and even luckier to call her my best friend and wife," said her husband Matt. "We traveled the world, searching for our next adventure, looking forward to a lifetime of excitement and fun together."

Shortly before her 30th birthday, Liz and Matt found out that they were going to be parents. "I'll forever remember the look on her face the morning that her pregnancy test displayed the word, 'pregnant,'" recalled Matt. "I had been with Liz through countless happy times in our 12 plus years together, but on that day I saw her at her happiest. It was as though the life that we had always envisioned was finally within our reach."

On March 24, 2008, Liz gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Madeline Elizabeth, seven weeks before her due date. "Our family grew by one, and the love in our hearts expanded exponentially as we welcome our little girl into the world," said Matt. The next day, as Liz excitedly prepared to hold Madeline for the first time, she collapsed in Matt's arms and died.

For Matt, the moments after Liz's death were a blur. "I was instantly confronted with my new life without Liz and my future alone with our daughter. As much as I wanted to go back in time, I knew it was impossible to do so and no matter how many 'what if?' questions I asked myself, there was no bringing her back to us.”

In the middle of the night, the same day that Liz died, Matt's phone rang, the number unfamiliar. "As much as I wanted to ignore the call, I answered, wondering who could possibly be calling me at that hour," recalled Matt. It was a representative from OneLegacy and she asked Matt about the possibility of donating Liz's organs and tissue. "'Organ and tissue donation? Had Liz really died? Was this really happening?' That's all I could think about," said Matt, who understood the time sensitivity inherent in organ and tissue retrieval, but was unable to process what was going on. "The woman on the phone was kind and understanding, and asked if she could call the next morning."

When his phone rang that morning, Matt knew the answer to the questions he was about to be asked. "I had been thinking about them all night, and even though Liz and I hadn't discussed this in-depth before, I remembered a brief conversation, Liz encouraging me to place an organ donation sticker on my driver's license, just like she had. Yes, Liz's tissue and organs would be donated. She would want this. She would want someone to live on and live better, thanks in part to her, and because of this, Liz lives on. It was an easy decision in the midst of the worst moment of my life, and one that I do not regret making."