Kirstin Elizabeth Cantler-Booke was born January 16, 2009. Three weeks before her first birthday, Kirstin and her parents went to visit family for Christmas. On the road, they hit a patch of black ice and their car was thrown into a concrete pillar. Kirstin was rushed to the hospital and passed away on Christmas Eve. Kirstin was able to donate tissue,helping people ranging in age from 13 to 46 in at least 12 different states. "We are grateful that she is able to live on through her gifts. She was the light of our lives and her smile could melt your heart," said grandparents Chris and Dawn Cantler.

Kirstin's Story

Kirstin Elizabeth Cantler-Booke was born January 16, 2009. Just three short weeks before her first birthday, Kirstin, along with her parents Sydney and Andrew, were on their way into town for an early Christmas with family. They hit a patch of black ice and their car was thrown into a concrete pillar. Kirstin was rushed to the hospital where she was later pronounced brain-dead; she passed away on Christmas Eve as a result of her injuries.

Sydney and Andrew knew right away that they wanted to donate Kirstin's organs. Sydney's grandfather has received two heart and one kidney transplants, so the family knew the value of organ donation. Kirstin was able to donate her heart valves, a section of bone, and cartilage from her knees. Kirstin's pulmonary valve was sent to Wisconsin and her aortic valve was sent to California. 26 bone and cartilage grafts were made from Kirstin's gift. Kirstin was able to help men and women, ranging in age from 13 to 46, in at least 12 different states.

"It is so important for us, all who loved Kirstin, to know that part of her is alive and helping others to live better, healthier lives," said grandparents Chris and Dawn Cantler. "We take comfort in knowing that Kirstin's donations were managed with great care and integrity and we are very grateful that she is able to live on through her gifts. We are humbled to be able to honor and remember her on the Donate Life Rose Parade float, '...One More Day.' She was the light of our lives and her smile could just melt your heart."