Troy Andrew Jensen was a proud husband, father and IT professional. After the birth of two children with wife Trisha, a rollercoaster sequence of events rocked the family over a 16-month period beginning in March 2010. Five months after their son Nathan was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Troy and Trisha found out they were expecting a third child. Then three months later, Troy died unexpectedly of an asthma attack at age 35; in his passing he helped over 60 people as a tissue donor. The following year Trisha gave birth to a daughter and eight-year-old Nathan lost his battle against DIPG. "I find great comfort knowing that Troy lives on in others due the decision to donate his tissues," said Trisha. "His gift makes my heart happy in the midst of this tragedy."

Troy's Story

Troy Andrew Jensen was born Jan 15, 1975 as the youngest of four siblings to John and Margaret Jensen. He attended Forest Lake High School and earned his backelor's degree in computer science at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Troy worked in the IT sector his whole career, including United Health Care. Troy enjoyed playing video games, going to the lake, and spending time with family.

Troy married Trisha Hicks in June 2000 and was a proud husband and father. His firstborn, Nathan Andrew, was born 3 weeks early on January 15, 2003, his father's birthday – the "best birthday present ever" according to Troy. Allison Grace came next in September 2004.

What had become a very comfortable life over the next four years came to an abrupt halt in March 2010, when a rollercoaster sequence of events rocked the family. That month, Nathan was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). "Troy stepped up and became the rock on this crazy and tragic journey," said Trisha. Five months later, Troy and Trisha found out they were expecting their third child. Then before the year's end, 35-year-old Troy died suddenly of an asthma attack the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Trisha was 12 weeks pregnant at the time; their daughter Rebecca Mae was born the following May. A devastating 16-month period ended in July 2011, when eight-year-old Nathan lost his battle against DIPG.

"I find great comfort knowing that Troy lives on in others due the decision to donate his tissues," said Trisha. "That he was able to make 61 other lives better with that gift makes my heart happy in the midst of this tragedy."