2019 Stephen Kevin Valsechi
Name: Stephen Kevin Valsechi
Type of Donation: Organ donor
Age and Location: Age 26 – Lindenhurst, NY
Donation Date: 10/10/2010
Sponsor: Honored by LiveOn NY Foundation
STEPHEN’S STORY
Stephen was born on October 1, 1984 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and then moved to New York with his family at age two. As an adult, he was a musician at heart and traveled with friends while performing at small clubs. He was the oldest of three children. Stephen loved to tease his two sisters, but he also introduced them to different kinds of music, which they still love to listen to today.
Stephen could walk into a room of strangers and before the night was over, he had talked to everyone. His smile and bright blue eyes made him the kind of person you felt comfortable to be around and easy to get along with.
At age 19, Stephen registered as an organ donor, knowing that one day he would be able to help others through transplantation. A conversation his mother Margaret remembers well, but never imagined she would have to act on.
In February 2009, Stephen moved back to Ireland to start his world travels and begin new adventures. He was very close to his extended family and had a great group of friends overseas.
Stephen passed away on October 5, 2010, four days after his 26th birthday. He was surrounded by family and friends from Ireland and the U.S. Through Stephen’s courageous decision to be an organ donor, he gave the gift of life to four people.
His heart was transplanted to a young man named Bobby, who later went on to marry and have two children. Stephen’s family and his heart recipient are now one big family and have a wonderful relationship.
Stephen’s parents and siblings honor and remember him through their volunteer work, promoting the importance of organ donation. It is their way of sharing Stephen with the world and letting people know about him. In this way, Stephen continues to be present in his family’s everyday life, and he will never be forgotten.