2016 Gail Gallagher

GAIL GALLAGHER

Riding in honor of her daughter Kate Gallagher

Age 58 ~ Monument, CO

Honored by donoralliance.org

Gail Gallagher honors her daughter by participating as a rider on this year’s float.  When Kate Gallagher was placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant in 2009, Gail did not expect her to become an organ donor instead.  Kate was diagnosed with Budd-Chiari Syndrome, a clotting disease of the liver, during her senior year. Known for her joyous spirit, compassionate heart, and special way with young children, Kate went on to study early childhood development, work with elementary students, and become engaged to be married. Unfortunately, Kate suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on March 12, 2012 and passed away before she could receive a new liver. Fortunately, she saved three lives that day.

Gail’s Story

When Kate Gallagher was placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant in 2009, her mother Gail did not expect her to become an organ donor instead of a recipient – but that is exactly what happened.

The 2005 Air Academy High School graduate was diagnosed with Budd-Chiari Syndrome, a clotting disease of the liver, during her senior year and was placed on the transplant list four years later.

Known for her joyous spirit, compassionate heart, and special way with young children, Kate went on to study early childhood development at Pikes Peak Community College, work with elementary students, and become engaged to be married.

Tragically, Kate suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on March 12, 2012 and passed away before she could receive a new liver. She was 26-years-old. As a registered organ, eye and tissue donor, she saved three lives that day: one of her kidneys went to a grandfather of five, the other went to a grandmother, and her heart went to a 12-year-old girl who had suffered a heart attack on the basketball court. The Gallagher family have gotten to know Tony, the kidney recipient over the phone, and have met Cassandra, the heart recipient, and her family.

In addition to honoring their daughter’s life through the Kate Gallagher Memorial Fund scholarships for Colorado Springs School District 20 resource students, Gail and her husband Mark have become tireless advocates for organ and tissue donation. Kate’s brother, Daniel is also a volunteer for Donor Alliance.  They work to educate Colorado Springs residents on the power of being an organ donor because they know that through her choice to donate, Kate’s compassionate heart continues to beat today.