Lindsey Woodward wanted to make a difference in the world. She was only 14, but she helped many people by giving shoes to children in Africa, filling backpacks with toiletries for the homeless, and putting together Christmas gifts for children around the world. On June 14, 2011, Lindsey was declared brain dead after an automobile accident; her parents donated her organs, corneas and tissue. "She was always the first to help anyone she could, so the decision to donate her organs and tissue was something my husband and I knew she would want," said her mother, Jackie, who became an active Donate Life Ambassador with OneLegacy, her local organ recovery agency.

Lindsey's Story

Lindsey Denae Woodward was a regular 14-year-old girl who loved spending time with her friends and family. She also loved soccer and played for her high school and local club soccer teams. Her dream was to go to UCLA and play on the women's soccer team and then on the national women's soccer team.

One of Lindsey's special gifts was her handwriting. "It was beautiful," recalled her mother Jackie. "She used it to write special letters to her friends, and her teachers would have her write for them because it was so perfect and looked as if it had been typed on a computer."

Most of all, Lindsey wanted to make a difference in the world and help as many as people as possible. She bought Toms Shoes so that a child in Africa would get a pair of shoes as well. She put together backpacks filled with toiletries for the homeless and gave them out at a local park. And she helped put together shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child so children around the globe would receive Christmas presents.

On June 14, 2011, Lindsey was declared brain dead after an automobile accident. "She was always the first to help anyone she could, so the decision to donate her organs and tissue was something my husband and I knew she would want," said Jackie.

Jackie said that Lindsey's donation "began our journey of the heart" with OneLegacy. She became a volunteer Donate Life Ambassador to help others through their loss and to tell Lindsey's story. In this role, Jackie has spoken at area high schools and at UCLA. She has worked at health expos, participated in the Donate Life Run/Walk, and decorated the Donate Life Rose Parade float.

"The highlight has been speaking to the California legislators in Sacramento about organ donation with the OneLegacy team," she said. "I am humbled every time I am asked to participate in what OneLegacy is doing. I feel privileged to be a part of such a wonderful team of people whose focus is on those who have lost a loved one and those who are waiting for their second chance. OneLegacy has become my second family, one I know that will be there for me whenever and wherever I need them."