2016 Jesse Jorgensen

JESSE JORGENSEN

Organ and Tissue Donor

Age 18 ~ Sioux City, Iowa

Donated on 08/24/2007

at Unity Point Health, Des Moines

iowadonornetwork.org

Jesse loved the Lord with all his heart, and everything he did was a result of that.  Jesse played just about anything that involved a ball, was the tuba player for the school band, and was an overall passionate leader.  He had a charismatic personality, connected easily with people, and loved his family and friends deeply and showed the love of Christ practically.  The last year of his life was filled with many special things from meeting his girlfriend Amy to graduating from high school.  When Jesse was pronounced brain dead, his father knew what to do based off a previous conversation he’d had with Jesse about organ donation. “I won’t need them anymore”, Jesse said.  “What good will they do me?
Jesse’s Story

Jesse played just about anything that involved a ball –baseball, bowling, basketball, football.  Jesse also played tuba in band, but football was his first love.  Jesse was going to play for the Hawkeyes.    Whether it was on the field or in the stands, Jesse was a leader.  Jesse once told the Band Director, “Just tell me what you need.” Jesse lived life to the fullest.  He seemed to always have a smile.  He liked to clown around whenever he could.

Jesse loved the Lord with all his heart, and everything he did was a result of that. He showed the love of Christ practically. He had a charismatic personality, connected easily with people, and loved his family and friends deeply.

Jesse’s senior year was filled with many special things: he was chosen for the all-district football team, a Division I rating for Marching Band; Amy became his girlfriend; he was elected “Winterfest King”; he graduated; he was Best Man in a wedding; he rededicated his life to Jesus at a church camp; and he started football camp/practice at Ellsworth.

Jesse’s family received a phone call – Jesse had fallen from the trunk of a car and struck his head.  A teammate started CPR immediately. Jesse was life flighted to Des Moines with a head injury.  He sustained a basilar skull fracture and was pronounced brain dead.

John and Mary, Jesse’s parents, met with two women from Iowa Donor Network. They explained everything and told his family how many people could potentially be helped by one donor.  John said that was what Jesse would have wanted.  Jesse had told John when he got his license, “What good will they do me?  I won’t need them anymore.”

In the hospital, a staff member came to Jesse’s room with finger paints and modeling clay.  Footprints and hand impressions from Jesse were done and the family was able to laugh with him.  Mary said, “The Iowa Donor Network staff was great help to our family in 2007 and they continue to be great help today.”

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