Michael McVey was always on the move. He could never seem to squeeze enough biking, skating, and fishing into each day. Michael hit his head after falling from a broken rope swing, and although he rode his bike home, his head injury proved to be severe, and eventually fatal.

Because he was not brain dead, initially he was not considered a candidate for donation. His family, however, had the foresight to insist ask about organ donation. His body was young and healthy except for the bump on his head. Eventually Michael became the first donor after cardiac death in many years, ushering in a reintroduction of a procedure that had been forgotten in the wake of brain death laws.

Michael was able to save and heal dozens of lives through the donation of his liver, kidneys, corneas and tissue. His liver went to a man who lived nearby. Michael’s family met him and cheered him on as he competed in the U.S. Transplant Games over the next eleven years. They feel there could not be a more fitting tribute to Michael's life.

Michael's spirit and legacy inspired his mother Susan McVey Dillon to volunteer with Gift of Life Donor Program in Philadelphia and advocate nationally for donation after cardiac death, which has since become common practice across the U.S.