Luke David Bautista

Organ and tissue donor

Age 15 – Wall, NJ

donated on 5/06/2016

At Jersey Shore Medical Center

Honored by Neary Quinn Funeral Home, A Dignity Memorial Provider of New Jersey

Luke David Bautista was born on April Fool’s Day 2001. He brought love and laughter to everyone he encountered during his 15 years of life. He was kind, caring, funny, unique, adventuresome and creative. He loved music, attended countless rock concerts and was an aspiring drummer. Luke’s light continues to live on through organ donation. He provided 5 lifesaving gifts (his heart, both kidneys, liver and pancreas). He was also able to gift his descending thoracic aorta, which aided in the creation of dialysis ports, and his skin and tissue donations have helped close to 100 people. He is truly a hero in the eyes of his friends and family, not only through his gift of life, but also because of the impact he had on so many. It is so fitting for Luke to be included on the “Gift of Time” Donate Life Rose Parade float because Luke’s impact and inspiration are truly timeless.

Luke’s Story

Luke David Bautista was born on April Fool’s Day 2001. He brought love and laughter to everyone he encountered during his 15 years. He was kind, caring, funny, unique, adventuresome and creative. He instinctively shared his happiness with all around him and thoroughly entertained everyone as well.

Luke lived in Wall Township, NJ, his entire life. He had a great love of music, attended countless rock concerts and was an aspiring drummer. He had a passion for producing videos and was a leader among his friends in the TV Production Club at Wall High School. He loved spending time outside, especially bike riding, hiking, relaxing on the roof, or chilling at the beach. He was always happiest when sharing his love of life with his friends and family.

Luke’s light continues to live on through organ donation. He provided 5 lifesaving gifts (his heart, both kidneys, liver and pancreas). He was also able to gift his descending thoracic aorta, which aided in the creation of dialysis ports and his skin and tissue donations have helped close to 100 people. He is truly a hero in the eyes of his friends and family, but not only through the gifts he provided. He is a hero because of the way he lived his life and the impact he had on so many people before and after his death. He made every moment of his life count, he was never afraid to be himself, and he took time every day to make other people smile.

Team Luke was established shortly after Luke’s passing to participate in the NJ Sharing Network’s annual 5K event. The team’s mission is to not only honor Luke’s memory by celebrating his life, but to also follow his example by spreading love, laughter, light and sharing with others just how important it is to become an organ donor. Within one year, the team raised $156,000. The outpouring of love and support has been incredible, but the number of people who talk about Luke and the gifts he left behind is even more amazing.

It is so fitting for Luke to be included on the “Gift of Time” Donate Life Rose Parade float because Luke’s impact and inspiration are truly timeless and he will always be remembered.