Viral video leads to more AZ organ donors
PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A touching story is shedding new light on the importance of organ donation. Recently FOX 10 brought you the story of the tragic death of an infant boy from California who is now saving the life of a young girl in Arizona. The girl received the boy's heart, and 3 1/2 years after his death the boy's mother heard her son's heart beating in 4-year-old Jordan Drake.
The photo of Heather Clark hearing her son Lukas's heart beating inside Jordan went viral over the weekend. It's been viewed by tens of millions of people. The picture was taken by Jacqueline Keidel with the Donor Network of Arizona.
"There wasn't a dry eye in the room."In case you missed it, here's Danielle Miller FOX 10's full story on how one mother's choice helped hope and love grow out of a horrible tragedy.
"I think when I snapped that photo I had a feeling that, ok this could be big. Because there is so much genuine raw emotion of Heather hearing her son's heartbeat for the first time in almost three years, and knowing that Jordan, this beautiful and wonderful little girl is here because of Lukas," said Jacqueline Keidel.
The picture and the story has gained worldwide attention.
"We've gotten calls from the middle east if they could use the footage, from Europe, even Australia. Just people all over the world would have been interested in sharing this incredible moment between Esther and Heather," she said.
Jacqueline says the Donor Network of Arizona has had triple the amount of people registering to become donors in the days after the story of Jordan and Lukas was told.
"For me to be able to see that moment first hand just reinforced everything we work for at Donate Life Arizona, to save and heal lives through donation, and seeing that happen right in front of my very eyes is something I won't ever forget," said Keidel.