2017 Jerrell L. Fletcher

JERRELL L. FLETCHER

Organ Donor

Age 16 ~ New Haven, CT

Donated on 6/7/1998

at Yale New Haven Hospital

Honored by neob.org

Wise beyond his years, Jerrell touched so many people in his 16 short years of life. In this day and age, he would be considered the kid who protected children who are victims of bullying. He was honor student and a member of the National Honor Society. Also, he was an amazing athlete—he excelled in football, baseball and basketball. He always won over his teachers, coaches and made many friends from all different backgrounds and cultures. He loved to attend church services. With much care and compassion, his family went through the process for Jerrell to be an organ donor after his passing. He was a special gift from GOD and in turn gave back to several individuals through the donation of both kidneys, liver, heart, and pancreas.

Jerrell’s Story

Jerrell Fletcher was born March 15, 1982. He attended West Hills Magnet School from kindergarten until he graduated from 8th grade. During his elementary years he was always admired by his teachers as the kid who always befriended the kids that were less popular. In this day and age, he would be considered the kid who protected children who are victims of bullying. In addition to his good natured personality, he was an honor student and a member of the National Honor Society. He was also a very good athlete—he excelled in football, baseball and basketball.

Upon his graduation from Middle School, he attended Notre Dame High School in West Haven, Connecticut. Jerrell was not a fan of the idea of attending an all-male school but he quickly adjusted and excelled academically making the honor roll several times. In addition to being a great student athlete, his infectious personality won over his teachers, coaches and he made so many friends from all different backgrounds and cultures.

Jerrell loved to attend church services with his grandmother at St. Matthews Unified Freewill Baptist Church. He was one of the startup members of the 8 a.m. service and a junior trustee in helping with the offerings each week. Jerrell loved his church family and rarely was he not in attendance, something to be said for a young boy.

In June of 1998, Jerrell was killed in an automobile accident that left his classmates and family devastated. As the events unfolded after his accident, it became clear that he was not going to survive his injuries and that is how the family came to meet the fantastic folks from the New England Organ Bank. With much care and compassion, they guided them through the process to allow Jerrell to be an organ donor.

Jerrell was wise beyond his years and touched so many people in his 16 short years of life; he was a special gift to me from GOD and in turn gave the gift of life back to several individuals through the donation of both kidneys, liver, heart and pancreas.