David Christopher Money

Type of Donation:          tissue

Age and Location:          Age 23 – Mechanicsburg, OH

Donation Date:             8/07/2006

Sponsor:                   Honored by Community Tissue Services

DAVID’S STORY

When David got his Ohio driver's license at the age of 16, he signed up to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. David knew the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation and had a personal reason for signing up. His grandpa was blind, and David knew one day he could help someone see again through cornea donation.

At the age of 23, David's was preparing for his future; he attended DeVry University in Columbus; had a job at Buckeye Air Care as an Environmental Technician; and was engaged to his college girlfriend. He had the incredible love and support of his family.

A week before David was to turn 24, he stopped by his mom and stepdad's house in Mechanicsburg, Ohio to share his good news. A lifelong, avid baseball player, he was going to try out for the farm team of the Cincinnati Reds.

On August 7,2006, David was on his way home from work, when his vehicle hydro-planed, and he lost control of his car. David sustained severe injuries and was taken to a trauma center but did not survive. On that day, David became a tissue donor.

David's decision to be a donor touched many lives. His final gift saved and enhanced the lives of over 100 individuals. He was able to help twins burned in a fire, helped a person avoid amputation, allowed injured athletes to return to sports, and restored mobility in patients suffering from severe back pain. His mom has been in touch with one of the tissue recipients and they have stayed friends for over 13 years. This provided his family comfort, knowing that David's final gift of tissue donation impacted the lives of so many people.

David's death helped the State of Ohio to pass the Next of Kin Bill ("Money-Burge Act" Senate Bill #249 and House Bill #392) in memory of David Money. This bill allows Ohio residents to register an emergency contact on their driver's license to help Law Enforcement Agencies notify the emergency contact as soon as possible if an emergency or any critical event occurs.