Like many 20-year-old Philadelphians, Ryan Shaw was a devoted Eagles fan who passionately supported his hometown team. He loved to watch football games with his family and had fun following the yearly drafts. For his birthday present each year, his father would take him to a football game, so they could spend some quality time together while doing something they both loved.
Although Ryan’s love for sports was strong, he wasn’t able to participate in them because he had epilepsy. From the age of eight, he began having seizures. Through medication, he was able to manage his seizures, but there were negative side effects as well. He had trouble focusing in school and felt different from his peers. Through all of his struggles, he continued to be a kind and happy young man. He was a great sibling and son – and was a big help to his mother, Carol McCloud, in caring for his younger brother and sisters.
“Ryan was a quiet kid, but became talkative if you brought up football. He always watched sports channels and was a devoted Eagles fan. Watching the games and being with his family were his favorite things to do. I used to pretend to like football, so we could spend more time together.” said Carol.
After suffering from a seizure in August 2014, Carol got a phone call that no mother ever wants to receive. She learned that Ryan’s seizure was fatal and that there was no chance to save him. She decided to ask doctorsabout the possibility of him being an organ and tissue donor. In the most painful moment of her life, Carol thought about others.
“I wasn’t sure if he could be a donor. Ryan’s organs were failing and he had health issues.” said Carol. “For some reason, I was able to separate myself from my emotions and think logically and ask questions about donation. Ryan was my baby. I had him young and we basically grew up together. I loved to care for him, but I knew he would want to help others. I wanted him to be able to help people.”
Through Ryan and Carol’s generosity, he was able to save four lives. Immediately after Ryan’s passing, Carol wrote letters to his organ transplant recipients, which were coordinated through Gift of Life. “I wanted to reach out to them so they didn’t feel any guilt. I wanted to connect with them and hear how they were doing. It really made a difference to me, knowing that Ryan saved people and that they were able to live their lives again with good health. Now his recipients can spend time with their families, kids or grandkids. That means a lot to me.” she said.
Carol has become an advocate for organ and tissue donation. Her family has cooked for transplant patients and their families staying at the Gift of Life Howie’s House, and Carol feels good to support a cause that has helped her heal and create a legacy of giving for her son. In 2015, Carol started a team for Gift of Life’s Annual Donor Dash called Ryan’s Shamrocks, in honor of Ryan. He was proud of his Irish heritage, which is why Carol chose the name. She rallied their family and friends and was in awe that approximately 100 people walked in support of her son and organ donation. Ryan’s Shamrocks raised nearly $6,000 for the Donor Dash last year. This important funding will support organ and tissue donation education and awareness. The family continues to participate in the Donor Dash every year in honor of Ryan.
Carol said, “You can’t bring someone back when they die. To know that Ryan saved four people – that they are alive and can make memories – it’s humbling and healing. It was a no brainer for me. Ryan had such a big heart and always was a giver. I know him being a donor was the right choice, and that he would smile if he knew he did something good for others.”
Carol and Ryan are both heroes. The world is a much better place because of them. God Bless you.