Alexandra J. Barnes

Organ and cornea donor

Age 26 – Colorado

Donated on 9/12/2015

at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, South Shore

Honored by LiveOnNY

Born in 1988 in Colorado, Alexandra J. Barnes was a shy, modest girl who blossomed into a brilliant, educated, confident, strong-willed, and opinionated woman. One of her greatest assets was her ability to give freely and love unconditionally. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 16, she fought harder for everything she accomplished; she was loyal, with a strong, extraordinary work ethic. She refused to let her disease define her; instead, she owned it with a sense of dignity beyond her years.

Her dream to live in New York, accomplished right after college, displayed her drive and self-motivation. In 2015, she produced her first short film, “All Ye Faithful” and the Instagram blog “Alexandrogynous”. She was considered one of Brooklyn’s Coolest Up and Coming Stylists the very day she died of cardiac arrest at the age of 26. A registered donor since she was 16, Alexandra wanted to help others through donation. Thanks to her gift, her legacy continues with the lives she saved.

Alexandra’s Story

Alexandra J. Barnes, an only child born of love 11-13-1988, was a shy, modest girl who blossomed into a brilliant, educated, confident, strong-willed, opinionated woman. One of her greatest assets was her ability to give freely and love unconditionally. She was simply magnificent! A champion of the underprivileged, she loved animals. She was appalled by and vocal of entitlement, yet she loved fine clothing, travel and had a refined palate. She was private about her accomplishments and was embarrassed when I spoke of how amazing she was.

Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 16, with a renewed passion, she fought harder for everything she accomplished, she was loyal, with a strong, extraordinary work ethic. She refused to let her disease define her; instead, she owned it with a sense of dignity beyond her years. Her dream to live in NYC, accomplished after college in 2011, showcased her fearlessness, discipline, and self-motivation. When she entered a room, all eyes turned toward her, never realizing how stunningly beautiful she was—5’ 10”, beyond gorgeous, with a laugh that we can still hear.

In 2015, she produced her first short film, “All Ye Faithful” while partnering and producing an Instagram blog “Alexandrogynous”. They were published as Brooklyn’s Coolest Up and Coming Stylists, the very day she died, 9-1-2015, 26 years old of cardiac arrest. For her, being a donor was part of her DNA. “Mom why wouldn’t I be, it will help others when I am gone,” she stated at 16 years old, prior to checking that fateful box on her Colorado Driver’s License. Her liver was flown from NYC to California for her favorite Aunt Belinda’s partner, Bill Lorber, who just happened to be a match, forever unknown to her. Her right kidney went to fashionista Kevin Robinson from NYC. She would be thrilled everything else was donated and that her gifts are unconditional, like her. Most importantly, the healing and support it gives my family and I are immeasurable. There is no greater grief than losing your child, yet there has been light because she is a Donor. Forever I love you sweetie and she loves all of us.