Kaitlyn Berg was only four when she was in a fatal car accident. Her mother Marlene Seerup knew she would want to help others have a chance at a better, healthier life via organ donation. She feels blessed to know that Kaitlyn lives on in others. Her heart was transplanted into a 29-month-old girl, her kidneys went to a 38-year-old woman, and her liver saved a two-year-old boy. "Not a day goes by that I do not miss her immensely," Marlene said. "She was able to be a true hero."

Kaitlyn's Story

Kaitlyn Berg enjoyed playing with and watching over her little brother, baking with her mom, playing with her cat Sam, and attending preschool. Just four years old, she looked forward to kindergarten the next year.

On October 12, 2001 Kaitlyn and her mother Marlene Seerup had just finished shopping for the perfect witch costume for treat-or-treating. Suddenly, they were in a car accident. Kaitlyn's brainstem was severed, and she was pronounced brain dead several hours later.

"Although it was a terrible shock to us, she had been telling me for months prior that she was going to heaven soon to play with God and the angels. I guess that was her way of preparing me for this moment," remembered Marlene.

"When the LifeSource representatives approached me about donating Kaitlyn's organs, there was no question in my mind that this was the right thing to do. She had always been the type of child who would give up her favorite toy if one of her friends was playing with it because she wanted to see them happy. So I knew she would want to help others have a chance at a better, healthier life.

"As I held her little hand and said goodbye, I was comforted by the fact that there were others who would not have to feel the overwhelming grief I was feeling because of my choice to donate Kaitlyn's organs."

Kaitlyn's heart was transplanted into a 29-month-old girl in Chicago, her kidneys went to a 38-year-old woman in Wisconsin, and her liver went to a two-year-old boy who also lived in Minnesota. "Over the past 12 years, we have been in contact with the boy who received her liver and have had the privilege of watching him grow into a healthy teenager," Marlene confirmed.

Three years after the accident, Marlene and husband Mike started an annual fundraiser in Kaitlyn's name to help raise awareness of the importance of being a hero and electing to be a donor. The proceeds benefit LifeSource.