Claire Sundgren

Tissue and cornea donor

Age 25 – Fairbanks, AK

Donated on 04/03/2016

at Medical Examiner’s Office

Honored by Xtant Medical

In her short 25 years on earth, Claire Sundgren gained a reputation as being a “badass Alaskan woman” who gravitated toward things like snow machines and stock car racing. Claire’s family and friends remember her as “pure, simple, and beautiful.” She was always ready to help her family haul, chop, and stack wood, like a true Alaskan woman and in the tradition of her Alaska Native ancestors. She was an extraordinary woman, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.

Claire was a registered donor, so her mom did not hesitate to agree to donation when she received the call on April 3, 2016. Through her gift of tissue and cornea donation Claire has touched the lives of 69 people, and helped restore the sight of an 83-year-old woman.

Claire’s Story

Some people shine so bright, they make a difference in the world just by letting others see their light. Claire Sundgren was such a person. In her short 25 years on earth, Claire gained a reputation as being a “badass Alaskan woman” who gravitated toward things like snowmachines and stock car racing at the Mitchell Raceway in Fairbanks. Despite standing 5-feet-3-inches tall, Claire operated a 600 Arctic Cat sled and could high mark alongside her fellow riders. She was opinionated and strong, and never hesitated to speak her mind, even if it meant standing alone. Claire’s family and friends remember her as “pure, simple, and beautiful.” She was always ready to help her family haul, chop, and stack wood, like a true Alaskan woman and in the tradition of her Alaska Native ancestors. She was an extraordinary woman, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.

Claire lived more life in 25 years than many do in a century. The Alaska State Legislature was so moved by her story that they offered her mother a “memoriam proclamation” with the following words on a framed certificate: “The Alaska State Legislature honors the memory of Claire Elizabeth Sundgren, who was always true to herself and squeezed every last drop out of life… her legacy of embracing life, love, laughter, and the pioneering spirit of Alaska will always remain…”

Claire’s mother, Billie, remembers words shared between them. “If I told her, I love you more than raven loves his treasure, she would answer, “I love you more than whale loves his spout.” That is fitting, because her final words, three hours before she died were, “I love you, Mom.”
Claire was a registered donor, so Billie didn’t hesitate to agree to donation when she received the call at 11:30pm on April 3, 2016. She knew her daughter intimately, and was able to answer all of the questions relating to her daughter’s medical history, and could even accurately describe Claire’s tattoos. “I’m glad I knew her medical history,” Billie said. “I knew her up and down… and now there are parts of Claire that will go on.” Through her gift of tissue and cornea donation Claire has touched the lives of 69 tissue recipients in 13 states, and helped restore the sight of an 83-year-old woman.