In September 2011, the Rothermel family suffered the greatest of tragedies when their beautiful 3-year-old daughter Jaidyn fell into the pool and drowned. "It was difficult to believe that anything good could come out of those dark days," recalled Jaidyn's mother Trina. Over time, the transplant of Jaidyn's kidneys to two mothers of three as well as her corneas has been a source of comfort. "Our tragedy has taught us some important lessons," affirmed Trina. "You are never too young or old to care or give. Our family will always feel different about little pink dots on driver's licenses, realizing it might be the miracle of life that someone else is praying for."

Jaidyn's Story

In September 2011, the Rothermel family suffered the greatest of tragedies when their beautiful 3-year-old daughter Jaidyn fell into the pool and drowned. Shortly after arriving at Valley Children's Hospital, the family was informed that Jaidyn was brain-dead, and her body was functioning only with the assistance of machines. Physically, they could see her, but the girl they knew – the one that loved strawberry milk and her cat, Chowder Pow Pow – was gone.

"It was such a difficult time, full of difficult decisions," recalled Jaidyn's mother Trina. "It was difficult to believe that anything good could come out of those dark days."

When they were first approached with donating her organs, their immediate response was, "No." "She had already been through such an awful thing, we couldn't do that to her," said Trina. "But as we had more specialists confirm the original diagnosis and we had a little more time to think about it, and we had a change of heart.

"I remember sitting on a bench outside with my mom, and asked her what she thought about donor donation. She told me that somewhere, someone else was begging God for a miracle, because without it their loved one might die and maybe, just maybe, Jaidyn was their miracle."

Jaidyn's miracles took the form of her kidneys , which were transplanted to two mothers of three who are now off dialysis. Her corneas went to two recipients – one whose vision was restored, and another who was able to see for the first time.

"Over time, Jaidyn's ultimate gift has been a source of comfort for our family. Just before Thanksgiving, a young couple in our church had a premature baby girl, which required a heart valve transplant," recalled Trina. "I know the one she received wasn't Jaidyn's, but it brought home the reality and importance of Jaidyn's sweet gifts."

Remembering a time that Jaidyn's younger brother Zachary received a toy when he was in the hospital, the Rothermel family started "Joy From Jaidyn," which donates toys and learning materials to Valley Children's Hospital twice a year.

"Our tragedy has taught us some important lessons," affirmed Trina. "You are never too young or old to care or give. Our family will always feel different about little pink dots on driver's licenses, realizing it might be the miracle of life that someone else is praying for."