Although her family moved a great deal in her early life, Shantel Miller had no trouble being a naturally outgoing, friendly girl who brought joy to the lives of people around her. As a youngster, she loved swimming, school, and her extended family that included her mother, grandfather, aunt, uncle and older cousins. When Shantel was eight, she became a big sister to little brother Zack.

Shantel loved participating in sports (her favorite was volleyball), “American Idol,” and practical jokes. She played the viola in band and was in the choir.

By the time Shantel was 16, she had many friends and was really happy. “She had grown into such a beautiful woman, and I was proud of her as I still am and always will be,” said her mother, Michelle. “I thank God every day for the little girl that he gave to me. Her memory will last forever and she will always be loved and missed dearly.”

In April of 2008, Shantel was in a single-car accident. She and one other passenger were taken to the hospital, and a third passenger died at the scene. The driver survived.

Shantel lived for a few days on ventilated support, but her prognosis was fatal and she was declared brain dead. After careful consideration, Michelle consented to organ and tissue donation. Through her gifts, Shantel was an eight-organ donor, as well as tissue and cornea donor. Her gifts saved many lives.

“After going through a devastating situation such as this one, we are thankful that life was able to come out of such loss. We know Shantel wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”