By Diane Joens

Davey Joens passed away quickly and unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. To this day, he is still remembered by his friends and family.

Also in Memory of April Leigh Joens, April 29, 1972 and Timothy Joens, July 23, 1975

One Bright Star: Web site for families who have lost children: http://www.onebrightstar.org.

When Davey died, devastated parents Paul and Diane made the decision to donate his organs to others. His heart, kidneys, liver and corneas sustained life for others. A young (30-ish?) Native American who liked computers, like Davey, may have received his heart, according to a newspaper account in the Omaha World Herald. Doctors performed a "piggy back" operation, because the donor's heart was too small and they were hoping the man's own heart, along with the donor's, could make a difference. We read in the newspapers that the man died of kidney failure about eight months later. We have never learned who received the organs--or at least had it verified other than what we read in the newspapers. In those days--1985--the donor and recipients were not allowed contact. It always comforted us that at least someone could benefit from the sad death of our only living child. We were comforted at Davey's funeral when one of his classmates said, "We were talking about organ donation in science class, and Davey told our class when he died, he wanted to donate his organs." It is difficult to make that decision for others, even your own child, and it was good to learn it would have been his own choice, too.

To learn more about becoming an organ donor, go to the Donor Network of Arizona at www.dnaz.org or call 1-800-94-DONOR.

Donation myths and facts

Myth: Wealthy people can buy organs.

Fact: It's a federal crime to buy or sell organs and tissues. Factors such as race, gender, income or celebrity status are never considered when determining who receives an organ.

Myth: Doctors may let me die so they can transplant organs to other patients.

Fact: Doctors who treat patients at the time of death have nothing to do with donation of their organs and tissues. Every effort is made to save a patient's life before donation can be considered.

Myth: It costs money to donate.

Fact: There is no cost to the donor's estate or insurance company.

Myth: Donation disfigures the body and delays funeral plans.

Fact: Donation does not disfigure the body or change the way a person looks. Donated organs and tissues are removed surgically. Most donations take place within 24 hours after death and won't delay funeral arrangements.

Myth: My religion opposes donation.

Fact: All major religions - Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism - fully support donation.

Myth: If I sign a donor card, I will be a donor.

Fact: Signing up on the Arizona Donor Registry at www.AZDonorRegistry.org is the best way to ensure you are a donor in Arizona.

Sources: National Institutes of Health, Donor Network of Arizona