From the time she was in fifth grade, Molly Noble's heart belonged to UCLA. She graduated as valedictorian from Rio Linda High School in 2001 and was accepted to UCLA as a National Merit Scholar as well as a Regents Scholar. She loved UCLA sports and was thrilled when she had the opportunity to meet basketball coaching legend John Wooden. As she began her final three undergraduate classes, Molly suffered a brain aneurysm. Among the five organs she donated, her heart was transplanted at UCLA. The university graciously awarded Molly a bachelor's degree in psychology diploma posthumously. The diploma is framed in her family's home alongside a beautiful watercolor of the UCLA's Powell Library.

Molly's Story

From the time Molly Noble was in the fifth grade, her heart belonged to UCLA. She set her sights high and worked very hard to make that dream come true. She graduated as valedictorian from Rio Linda High School in 2001 and was accepted to UCLA as a National Merit Scholar as well as a Regents Scholar. Her dream of being a Bruin had come true!

She made UCLA her home as a college freshman in the fall of 2001. She loved Los Angeles so much that she never returned home, working as a resident assistant in the dorm and working summer jobs in L.A. She loved everything about the UCLA area: the Santa Monica Pier, Farmer's Market, vintage shops, and all of the music venues. She loved UCLA sports and was thrilled when she had the opportunity to meet basketball coaching legend John Wooden.

She left school for a couple of years but stayed in the area and was employed at the UCLA bookstore. In the summer of 2009 she re-enrolled so she could complete her final three psychology classes.

On the verge of realizing her dream to earn a degree from UCLA, on the fourth day of her return to classes, Molly suffered a brain aneurysm. Even though she received the finest medical care, there was no chance for survival.

Molly had made her organ donation wishes known just two months prior when she obtained her California driver's license. Arrangements were made for five organs to be transplanted on the night of July 4, 2009, and her organs were flown to various transplant facilities in the Los Angeles area.

Molly's parents experienced such bittersweet feelings as they were told that Molly's heart was being flown through the fireworks in the Southern California sky, back home to her beloved UCLA, to give life to another. Although her life was too short, she unselfishly passed on her love of life through her decision to be an organ donor. Five people were given a second chance at life because of Molly.

As she was only three classes away from graduating, UCLA graciously awarded Molly a bachelor's degree in psychology diploma posthumously. The diploma is framed in her family's home alongside a beautiful watercolor of the UCLA's Powell Library.