Jenaé McNichols

Type of Donation:       organs, tissue and corneas

Age and Location:      Age 16 - Newark, OH

Donation Date:           5/31/2013

Sponsor:                      Honored by Lifeline of Ohio

JENAE’S STORY

Jenaé McNichols, a sophomore at Lakewood High School in Hebron, Ohio, was involved in student council, on the cheerleading squad, a member of the band, in the drama program and spent her lunches mentoring a grade school student who needed extra help with her homework. On top of all these commitments, she was a dancer – it was her true passion. She dedicated time after school to both teaching and taking dance classes. Her dream was to graduate from high school and begin a dance career.

Tragically, she was involved in an accident while on her way to teach a dance class. Jenaé’s family rushed to the hospital, but despite the doctors doing everything they could to save Jenaé’s life, she died at the age of 16 on May 31, 2013.

Jenaé learned about organ donation in school and was passionate enough about it to have a conversation with her family regarding her decision to be a donor. She said ‘yes’ to donation at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), making it easier for her family to honor her donation decision.

On May 31, she saved the lives of three people through the donation of her kidneys and liver. She gave the gift of sight and also helped hundreds of people through the gift of tissue donation.

Since her death, her family has given thousands of dollars in scholarships to her high school’s seniors and local dance studio students. They also serve as Lifeline of Ohio Donate Life Ambassadors, hoping to spread the donation message to others in their community. These opportunities help her family keep her generous spirit alive.

Jenaé’s family misses her every day, but they take comfort in knowing that she lives on through the many people she touched through the gift of life.