Dakota Sams

Type of Donation:       tissue and corneas

Age and Location:      Age 21 – Greenville, TN

Donation Date:           5/24/2020

Sponsor:                      Honored by Artivion

DAKOTA’S STORY

Born on September 28, 1998, Dakota appeared to be a healthy baby boy. At 18 months old, he was noted to have an enlarged abdomen. After many tests and biopsies, he was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis due to a genetic disease. The only cure and hope we had was a liver transplant. Three weeks before his 4th birthday, he received the gift of life through organ donation. As a result of organ donation, Dakota was able to live a complete life. He enjoyed hunting and farming with his Papaw, playing video games, and being with his nephew, who was also his best friend. As an adult, Dakota was a very compassionate young man who loved everyone and would give you his last dime. His greatest accomplishment in life made possible due to his organ donor, was the birth of his daughter, who was his whole world. He was a loving father who took her with him everywhere he went. Dakota also possessed an inspiring passion for welding, and to this day, monthly fundraisers are held to allow us to offer scholarships in Dakota's name for welding students.







Dakota often talked about his donor and remembered him every year on his transplant anniversary by releasing balloons with handwritten notes to his donor. Dakota also had a Donate Life tattoo on his arm as a tribute to his donor with the words "This piece of me I give to you" above it. An advocate for organ donation, Dakota once approached a man at the DMV who had declined to become an organ donor for his license and told him that had it not been for an organ donor, he wouldn't be here. The man left an organ donor. Dakota was able to restore the sight to 2 people, and he saved three lives through heart valve donations. Ultimately, Dakota completed the circle of life at age 21, proudly fulfilling his wish: "This piece of me I give to you."