Sara Stelzer

Organ donor

Age 18 – Moorpark, CA

Donated on 10/17/14

at Kaiser Permanente (Zion)

Honored by LifeSharing

Sara Beth Stelzer was only 18 years old and a freshman at San Diego State University when she passed away. Her family thought she had the flu, but meningitis took her from them only 36 hours from her first symptoms.

As a young girl growing up in Moorpark, CA, Sara was quirky, funny and confident. As a straight-A student and class clown, she strived for the best academically, while inspiring the most contagious laughter. She had a passion for government affairs and wanted to create a better future for her peers. Like so many other 16 year olds, Sara applied to receive her driver’s license. After discussing it with her parents, she decided to sign up as a donor when she filled out her application. Two short years later, Sarah saved the lives of five people through organ donation. Even in death, she made a positive impact to the world around her.

Sara’s Story

Sara Beth Stelzer was only 18 years old and a freshman at San Diego State University when she passed away. She died from Serogroup B meningococcal disease. Her family thought she had the flu, but meningitis took her from them only 36 hours from her first symptoms.

As a young girl growing up in Moorpark, CA, Sara was quirky, funny and confident. She sang and danced constantly. As a straight-A student and class clown, she strived for the best academically while inspiring the most contagious laughter. Sara and her two best friends were the school mascots at Moorpark High School, the Three Musketeers, entertaining everyone with their antics. She had a passion for government affairs and wanted to create a better future for her peers, a passion she shared with so many in an organization called Youth and Government.

She was a true California girl—spending sunny days dancing on the beach and winter days dancing in the snow. When she and her family moved to Switzerland during her middle school years, she remained a California girl at heart. She developed a wanderlust for travel and experiencing cultures from around the world. She dedicated her summers to Global Leadership Adventures, where she met like-minded kids who shared a desire to impact the world around them. Traveling to Costa Rica and Peru, Sara immersed herself in these cultures, giving back to the local communities.

Sara, like so many other 16 year olds, finally had received her driver’s license. As part of the process, she had to make a decision about organ donation. Not entirely sure what this meant, her parents explained the importance and impact that organ donation could have on another’s life. Without hesitation, Sara knew she had to take every opportunity to better the world around her. No one could have imagined that she would donate so soon, but with her gift, 5 people received 7 of her organs. Even in death, she made a positive impact to the world around her. She would have been so proud of the lives she touched through her incredible gift.