Donavin was 18 when he was taken down. He lived every day to the fullest, always on an adventure with a big contagious smile on his face. Donavin loved his family and friends more than anything and would do whatever he could to help someone.
When Donavin got his driver’s license we had a few conversations of him donating. In the end he decided he wanted to and had it added on his license. When Donavin arrived to the hospital, he did not have his license so they had no idea he was a donor. I did not have to tell them but knowing Donavin it what he would have wanted. As much as he gave in his life, he was able to give in death as well. Donavin was able to help four people with his donation. He always told a friend I just want my mom to be proud, I could not be prouder. Donavin is greatly missed by everyone and everyday life just isn’t the same without him, but I know part of him still lives on in his recipients.
I have PTSD when it comes to helicopters because when I was walking out the hospital for the last time, they were flying in for Donavin’s organs. It took 11 months until I went huh, that flight was one last adventure for him.
The patch is a replica of shirts that were made for him. The praying hands and cross portion was a tattoo he had on his forearm. Donavin got that tattoo when his great-grandfather passed away and it meant a lot to him. So it was important that it was incorporated. The orange represents one of his favorite colors. Plus he had orange from the tree company he worked for. You could always find him in that or camouflage, hence the background.