Aidan Joseph "AJ" Skinner

Type of Donation:       Organ (heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas) and corneas

Age and Location:      Age 12 – Reading, MA

Date of Donation:           07/02/2014

Sponsor:                      Honored by New England Donor Services

AIDAN’S STORY

Aidan Joseph Skinner loved life, and he lived it with passion. Aidan or AJ, depending on who you asked, eagerly tackled everything he did. He played basketball, swam, and skied. As a Boy Scout, he spent many days camping and hiking throughout New England, and he worked each day delivering the local paper on his bike. In the winter, he loved to create massive, elaborate snow forts. On vacations, he and his two siblings were thrill-ride junkies. He loved to draw and doodle. 

Aidan loved building with LEGO sets. His creations are still displayed in his home. He was a dedicated student, serving as treasurer for the student council, member of the Junior National Honor Society, member of the debate team, and volunteering at every school charity event. 

Aidan especially loved cooking and lacrosse. As an aspiring chef, he planned to attend culinary school at Johnson & Wales and later pursue an MBA at Harvard University to complete his MBA, so he could start building his restaurant empire. He even planned to open his first restaurant, Boston Water, on a floating building in the harbor. He loved spending time with family in the kitchen, creating meals. At the age of ten, Aidan had no fear trying to get vendors to understand his incredibly limited French while shopping in a Paris neighborhood market. He would try any food you offered him! AJ, the lacrosse goalie, was a leader. He was not afraid to take charge. His dream was to play on the high school's varsity team. Every day, he would practice alone or with friends. 

While attending lacrosse goalie camp, Aidan suffered a massive brain hemorrhage caused by an undiagnosed AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation). He had always been a healthy and active boy, rarely falling ill. His family knew that Aidan would want to help whomever he could. He had even written an essay about becoming an organ donor because he wanted to be a hero like his dad, a living donor. His organs saved five people, and his corneas gave someone sight. 

His family and friends treasured Aidan, and they knew he would love to be part of celebrating the hope that donation brings.