At age 18, when he went to apply for his driver’s license, Jason Ray decided he wanted to become an organ donor in the event that anything should happen to him. He was always committed to helping others, having made missionary trips to Haiti and Honduras.

Three years later, Jason was enjoying life as an honors student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll and the basketball team’s mascot. On March 23, 2007, he was struck by a car while walking along the shoulder of a busy highway and suffered severe head trauma. Three days later, Jason was pronounced dead. His wish to be a donor was fulfilled.

News of his death was featured in news reports nationwide. After ESPN aired a special show about him, donor registrations increased markedly across the country.