Followers

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

My locket

Origami Owl is the name of a company that sells living lockets. After Austin's death I received a gift from two dear friends. It was an Origami Owl necklace. They placed inside the letter A, a soccer ball, and a garnet birthstone (Austin was born in January). Later I received a lapel pin from Life Link the organ donation company. I had the pin shaved off the back and I placed this into the background of my locket. This locket will be forever special to me. I am now an Independent Designer for Origami Owl. You can order your own locket at www.vharriss.origamiowl.com

Friday, August 3, 2012

Saved by the blood of Christ


This picture is very special to me. It was taken when Austin went to Camp Glisson the very first time. He received Christ during this week long Methodist camp during the summer when he was around 9 years old. The look on his face tells it all. He had a strong belief in Jesus and often shared it with others.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Organ Donation....Paying It Forward

The following is a copy of the letter I received from LifeLink of Georgia.....

Dear Ms. Harriss,

     On behalf of LifeLink of Georgia, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to you and your family for the loss of your son, Austin. The death of someone you love is the most painful event that one can experience. I would like to thank you for your support of Austin's decision to donate.

     I would like to share with you a little information about the recipients who were able to receive an organ for transplant only because of your willingness to honor your son's wishes.

     One of your son's kidneys and his pancreas were transplanted into a 51 year-old lady, who is married. It was reported that there was immediate function of the organs following the transplant surgery.

     Austin's other kidney was transplanted into a 72 year-old gentleman from Georgia. He is married and is retired. He had been on the transplant waiting list since April of 2008. His transplant coordinator reported that he was in good condition and he has been discharged from the hospital.

     A 52 year-old gentleman from Georgia received your son's liver. He is married and has two children. His transplant coordinator informed us that he had been on the transplant waiting list since April of this year.

     Your son's heart was transplanted into a 69 year-old gentleman from Maryland. He is married, has three children and works as an attorney. He had been on the transplant waiting list since May of 2009. His transplant coordinator reported that his heart was functioning well following the transplant surgery.

     Both of Austin's lungs were transplanted into a 66 year-old gentleman from Ohio. He is married, has four children and works part time in IT. He enjoys motorcycles and playing with his grandchildren. He had been on the transplant waiting list since April of this year. It was also reported that his lungs were functioning well following the transplant surgery.

     The bone tissue that was recovered from Austin will be used to benefit up to 20 separate individuals who suffer from a variety of orthopedic problems, including injuries resulting from trauma, defects caused by tumors, and various other orthopedic deformities. The use of whole bone grafts has, in some instances, eliminated the need for an amputation of a diseased limb and has resulted in improving the quality of life of the recipient.

     Your son's saphenous veins were recovered and will be used in bypass surgeries, like coronary artery bypass surgery, to replace the blocked vessels in a heart with inadequate blood flow.

     As you can see, the value of these gifts is immeasurable.  I hope that you can derive some comfort from the knowledge that your son was able to give these precious gifts that will make such a positive impact on the lives of others. I have enclosed the booklet, For Those Who Give and Grieve, with the hope that it will provide additional support and information regarding organ and tissue donation. A phamphet is also included containing guidelines for writing to the recipient if you desire to do so in the future.

     Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any futher assistance to you. Again, thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Benn Parker
Donation Coordinator

Austin's passion was soccer.
He was the captain of the team his senior year. 

Harrison Pajarito posted on Austin's wall

This was written by Austin's friend Harrison Pajarito and was posted the day after his passing by Harrison on his Facebook page.


CREATOR: gd-jpeg v1.0 (using IJG JPEG v80), quality = 95
man life is too real to be worried about nonsense just lost my bestfriend that i grew up with and didnt even get to see what he was gonna be as an adult always stood up for each other and talked about situations in life deeper than any conversation i could ever have with my parents. life comes and goes. thats why i gotta live my life better and make something of it. god is letting me live for a purpose that i yet to have found but, i will keep searching and try everyday to be the person i was born to be. i Love You Austin Harriss and will always be thinking about you even when im at my lowest. your life inspired mine to be more than i ever thought i could be and i thank the lord for putting you in it. R.I.P My Brother. always remebered!