2019 Dennis Brown

Name:                                     Dennis Brown

Type of Donation:             Organ donor

Age and Location:             Age 19 – Redlands, CA

Donation Date:                   4/19/2008

Sponsor:                                Honored by OneLegacy

DENNIS’ STORY

Karen Lewellen says, “My son Dennis was a sweet boy growing up. He always had a smile that could make brighten your day.” Dennis was an active Boy Scout that gave back to his community. As the Scouts would recall, there was never a dull moment when Dennis was around. He believed in living life to the fullest. He enjoyed skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing. Dennis loved nature and camping at the beach.

When Dennis was a senior in high school, his father Randy became ill with lung cancer and a month after the diagnosis, Randy passed away. This was extremely hard on Dennis. Almost two years after his father passed away, Dennis attempted to take his own life. He was placed on life support at Loma Linda University Medical Center and was later declared brain dead. After receiving that news, his family asked about organ donation. Four matches were made and Dennis was able to donate his kidney, lung, pancreas, and heart and rescue four families. For his family, it was a healing moment when we learned that Dennis’ heart was transferred to a person that was in the next room. His family takes comfort in knowing that out of their loss, four people were saved and able to continue on through Dennis’ contribution.