Krysta Hankee was a talented, accomplished woman in academics, athletics and public service. However, her true passion was helping others and serving her community. Shortly after she graduated from business school, she collapsed at the gym and died five days later. At 22, she then performed her ultimate community service by saving five lives through organ donation, giving sight to two with cornea transplants and donating skin to the New York Fire Fighters Skin Bank. Her father William said: "Our family and community continue to carry forward her wish to make a positive difference in the lives of others."

Krysta's Story

Krysta Hankee was an accomplished and talented woman in academics, athletics and public service, but her true passion was helping others and serving her community. During an athletic recruitment interview, Krysta was asked, "Ultimately, what is your goal in life?" Without hesitation, she answered, "My plan is to be elected governor of Pennsylvania."

"This statement sums up much about Krysta and the type of life she was living in preparation for such an important job," said her father, William. "She went on to become a beautiful, gifted young lady full of love, joy, dedication and charity. She loved to learn. She loved to work hard. Most of all she loved friendship and giving. This passion for giving and helping others would manifest itself in a way we never expected."

Krysta was introduced to public speaking as a member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. At the same time, she was on the teen board at the local mall, president of the National Honor Society, goalie on her high school league champion field hockey team and of a traveling club team, the Dixie Styx. Krysta also served on TeenWorks to fund worthy community improvement projects. She was especially proud when she was asked to speak at her high school graduation.

Krysta entered American University to study business, where she was a Patriot League Scholar Athlete. She went on to graduate from the Leonard Stern School of Business at New York University and began her career at Triangle Equities.

At age 22, Krysta collapsed at the gym and died five days later. She then performed her ultimate community service by saving five lives through organ donation, giving sight to two with corneal transplants and donating skin to the New York Fire Fighters Skin Bank. Her family is proud that she placed an "Organ Donor" designation on her Pennsylvania driver's license.

Losing Krysta created a community-wide reaction. First, a $17,000 scholarship fund was set up in her memory and continues with an annual golf outing. The Krysta Cares initiative has raised more than $30,000 to help families purchase fuel for medical travel.

"Our family takes every opportunity to speak publicly about the benefits of organ and tissue donation," William said. "Our family and community continue to carry forward her wish to make a positive difference in the lives of others."