A 17-year-old junior in high school, Fernando Rivera was a good student and member of the football team. On May 17, 2011, after hearing loud gunshots outside their home, his father went to check on Fernando and found him with multiple bullet wounds in the head. He could not be saved. After his passing, it was his mother, Alejandra Rivera, who asked if they could donate his organs. Fernando was able to save four lives, and Alejandra has since met his heart and liver recipients. "I couldn't be more proud of my son," she declared.

Fernando's Story

Fernando Rivera was a sweet 17-year-old who loved life. A junior in high school, he always received good grades and played on the school football team.

On May 17, 2011, Fernando said goodnight to his parents, gave his mom a kiss, and went to sleep to his room, a detached apartment on the side of his parent's house. Hours later, in the middle of the night, the Riveras were awakened by the sound of loud gunshots near their home. Rushing outside, Fernando's father first assumed the noise was coming from the street.

Seeing no cause for the disturbance, he went to check on his son. It was then that he found Fernando in the backyard with multiple bullet wounds in his head. Fernando's mother, Alejandra, dialed 911, and her son was quickly transported to the hospital.

"When the doctor told me my son had lost his life," said Alejandra, "I was the one who asked if he would be able to donate his organs."

Fernando, a 6-foot-2, otherwise healthy teenager, was able to save the lives of four people through the donation of his heart, liver, kidneys and pancreas.

"In my saddest moment, I knew I was making others happy," Alejandra acknowledged.

Today, Alejandra has met and become friends with her son's heart and liver recipients. She says it brings her joy to see her new friends live on and enjoy their lives because of her son's generous gift.

Prior to his death, Fernando was well-loved, and this became even more apparent after seeing the outpouring of love and support from his classmates, friends and family after his passing. Although Fernando's time on earth was brief, he touched many lives and made a great impact.

"I couldn't be more proud of my son," Alejandra declared.