2017 Davis Paul Colley

DAVIS PAUL COLLEY

Tissue Donor

Age 16 ~Norwood Young America, MN

Donated on 5/10/14

Honored by americandonorservices.org & vrlden.org

Davis Paul Colley was an amazing individual who always encouraged people around him. As an accomplished honor student and varsity wrestler, Davis was the first to speak up if someone was in need. His commitment to wrestling went beyond just the team, but also helping younger wrestlers. He never liked to see anyone hurting and was the first to speak up if he saw an injustice. Charismatic and sociable, Davis had an unforgettable presence that made people laugh. He would be proud to know that his choice to be a donor would help 133 tissue recipients in 13 different states.

Davis’s Story

Davis Paul Colley was born on December 9, 1997, and grew up in rural Minnesota. He was an amazing young man. Davis was charismatic and loved to socialize. He was funny, smart and influential. He was determined and driven, an accomplished honor student and a varsity wrestler. Davis lettered in wrestling from 7th-10th grades. His commitment to wrestling went beyond just the team, but also to helping younger wrestlers. He never liked to see anyone hurting and was the first to speak up if he saw an injustice. Davis always tried to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Davis made the decision to become a donor when he was getting his learner’s permit at the age of 15. When discussing it with him, he couldn’t understand how anyone could consciously say no to being a donor. On May 9, 2014, Davis’ parents, Shannon and Wayne, honored his wishes. He donated cardiovascular and musculoskeletal tissue, and to date, his gifts have helped 133 recipients from 13 different states.

Shannon was heartbroken to learn that Davis wasn’t able to donate his organs. Yet, in March 2016, she learned to view tissue donation in a whole new light. Shannon became a recipient of a donor tendon. Without it, she would have likely dealt with the consequences of life-long knee problems. As with Davis’ gift to help improve so many lives, she too is grateful for someone’s selfless act of donation. Shannon has regained 100% function in her knee and is back to her life’s busy activities. She returned fulltime after 10 weeks to her physically intensive job in a crisis unit for young adults with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. As you can image, her first hike was physical as well as an emotionally moving experience. Shannon came full circle with the meaning and promise of the gift of donation.