Sasha Albert Clare, 26, received his BA in Architecture in June 2006. Before starting the Masters program at Savannah College of Art and Design, he went home to the Turks and Caicos Islands for what was to be a short vacation.

“On August 4, 2006, the day of his aunt’s birthday, Sasha and I had a phone conversation in which I reminded him: ‘Sash, be careful. You know I don’t want you riding your motorbike without your helmet.’ He replied, ‘I will be careful.’ After a pause, he said, ‘Mommy, I love you.’ I said, ‘I love you, too. Bye.’ This was our last conversation,” recalled his mother Eleanor Clare.

Sasha’s motorbike accident occurred around 5:00 pm that same day. He sustained a head injury and was transferred via air ambulance from Turks and Caicos to a hospital in Hollywood, FL, where he was declared brain dead. “As a mother, I am very proud that as an organ donor on August 7, 2006, Sasha renewed the lives of four recipients and gave sight so that they now live more productive lives.”

Eleanor Clare stated that “through organ donation, my family and I have found strength and healing. We have met many wonderful people, embraced a new family and seen the benefits of a renewed life. I have witnessed the happiness, the love, the gratitude and new beginnings to a bright future for my son’s heart recipient. In November 2008, I met the gentleman who received Sasha’s heart. I was blessed to listen to it beating in his chest. It was an amazing experience! Knowing that Sasha’s heart beats on, having his son, Shashano, to remind me of him, gives me a great deal of peace.”

Sasha’s death inspired Eleanor to petition and work toward getting the Helmet Law passed in the Turks and Caicos Islands in October 2006 to require motorcyclists to wear a helmet. She also had a sign erected at the accident site: Protect your head, don’t end up dead! Wear your helmets. Wear your seat belts.

“I will continue to pray for the medical community and the work that they do, guided by God’s grace,” said Eleanor. “God, the great physician has no limits and has given them the knowledge, wisdom and understanding needed to do what they do. Sasha’s death and the lives he has touched remind me of the words to a song: If I can help someone as I pass along, then my living will not have been in vain.”