Jeremy Doyle loved life, greeting everyone with a smile and a handshake. On September 18, 1998, Jeremy woke up early. It was a big day: he was going to propose to his girlfriend! Less than five minutes after Jeremy left his sister's house to go propose, a car ran a red light and Jeremy was thrown from his motorcycle. He never recovered. Jeremy's status as an organ donor was never in question. As a result of Jeremy's donation, four people's lives were saved and two received the gift of sight. It is a comfort to his family that his organ recipients are still alive and enjoying life.

Jeremy's Story

Jeremy Doyle loved life. He greeted everyone with a smile and a handshake and never knew a stranger. In fact, at his funeral people who only met him once or twice said they felt compelled to come and honor his memory. His mother Kelley describes him as "friendly, happy, funny and a total joy to be around."

On the morning of his accident, September 18, 1998, Jeremy woke up early. It was a big day in his life and he had a lot do. He had been working out of state for two weeks with his brother, Josh, and after spending the night in his new mobile home, his very first stop was to his parents' house to get his motorcycle and talk to his stepfather Ray. Then he drove down to his mom's office to share a big surprise: he was going to propose to his girlfriend that day! They made plans to meet later that evening to celebrate and then he gave his mom a big hug. Said Kelley, "At 6-foot-3, Jeremy's hugs were fully enveloping and full of love, and I find I miss them and his smiles the most. I'll always treasure the hug we shared that day."

Then he was off again to see his big sister, Jessica, who he had asked to help pick out an engagement ring. They shared a special day together. Looking back, the family feels very blessed because it seemed he made an extra effort to spend time with each of them that day.

Leaving his sister's house that afternoon, Jeremy headed directly to propose to his girlfriend, but less than five blocks away, a car ran a red light and Jeremy was thrown from his motorcycle. He never recovered.

Jeremy's status as an organ donor was never in question. Three years earlier, at age 17, his parents took him to obtain his Ohio driver's license and he asked if they were registered donors. He said he'd been thinking about it for some time and decided that if something happened to him, he wanted his organs to benefit others.

As a result of Jeremy's donation, four lives were saved and two people received the gift of sight. It is a comfort to his family that his organ recipients are still alive and enjoying life. A father of two in West Virginia received his heart; Jeremy's gift allowed him to live a normal life and rekindle his love of hunting, fishing and motorcycling, all of which Jeremy enjoyed as well.

Following Jeremy's funeral, many family members and friends signed up in the Ohio Donor Registry. His family is active with Lifeline of Ohio sharing his story and promoting the Donate Life message in his memory. Jeremy is still making an impact on the lives of others long after his death.