My sweet Father, Walter “Buck” William Webster, was 80 when he crossed over. He was an artist and had the most gentle soul. His curiosity in life led him to try new things and to live fully into his last days. Just days before he left us, he was “go-cart” racing. He loved all of his family, his children, and grandchildren. He loved to joke around and find happiness in life. He is dearly missed.
In October of 2024, my father suffered an aortic stent rupture, and I was thrust into a whirlwind of decision-making. One of those decisions came the very same day of his passing. I received a call from HonorBridge asking if we would consider allowing my father to be a donor. The phone call lasted almost an hour and was incredibly tough to get through on such a painful day, but I knew it was necessary to act quickly.
At the time, I couldn’t understand what could possibly be salvaged from him. He was 80 years old and in very fragile health. His heart was weak, and his lungs were damaged. I didn’t know there was so much more that could be donated to help others. HonorBridge gently helped me through that decision. Little did I know how impactful it would be. It truly defined the name HonorBridge.
Several months later, on May 14th of 2025, my husband Steve suffered a severe chemical burn at his job and received third-degree burns over 50% of his body. He has been in the Jaycee Burn ICU Unit in Chapel Hill, NC, recovering from this life-threatening injury. These past months have been the most difficult of our lives.
Early in his journey, Steve received donor skin to protect him from infection and prepare his body to grow new skin and receive grafts. When I learned this was donor skin, I immediately broke down in tears. Back in October, HonorBridge had shared with me that they had been able to recover skin from my father to help others. It was a “full circle” moment and one that comforted me deeply. In that moment, I felt my father was with me as I watched my husband begin the hardest journey of his life.
I am so thankful for that donor skin. It was critical in Steve’s healing, and reminded me that you are never too old to make a difference through donation.
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