NewsOK member benefits

Teen's death sheds light on organ donation after six receive transplants

By Juliana Keeping | Published: November 9, 2012

MIDWEST CITY — The death of a Midwest City High School senior last week, while tragic, also saved lives.

Six of Kittrick Johnson Jr.'s organs were given to people in need of lifesaving transplants, said Phil Van Stavern, the chief operating officer for LifeShare. The nonprofit recovers organs and tissue for transplantation in Oklahoma and maintains the state's donor registry.

photo - Teri Tharp, left, and Terrance Johnson hold candles during a candlelight vigil for Kittrick Johnson Jr., who died after being in a motorcycle accident on the way to school, in Midwest City, Okla., Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Tharp is Kittrick Johnson's aunt, and Terrance Johnson is a lifelong friend. Kittrick Johnson's family is donating his organs to be transplanted and used the vigil to raise awareness of organ donation as well as remembering Johnson. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Teri Tharp, left, and Terrance Johnson hold candles during a candlelight vigil for Kittrick Johnson Jr., who died after being in a motorcycle accident on the way to school, in Midwest City, Okla., Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. Tharp is Kittrick Johnson's aunt, and Terrance Johnson is a lifelong friend. Kittrick Johnson's family is donating his organs to be transplanted and used the vigil to raise awareness of organ donation as well as remembering Johnson. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Multimedia

Photoview all photos

Article Gallery: Teen's death sheds light on organ donation after six receive transplants

Johnson, 17, of Oklahoma City, was riding a motorcycle to school when he collided Nov. 2 with a car that turned left in front of him on NE 10 near Lee Drive, police said. Johnson wore a helmet and safety gear, but he and his motorcycle caught fire, and he suffered third-degree burns over half his body, police said.

He died Saturday.

A candlelight vigil Wednesday at 9221 NE 10 was organized to help students and family members grieve and to raise awareness for organ donation, said Christina Kirk, a family attorney.

“Kit was a kind, loving young man who would do anything he could to help someone else out. It seems only natural to allow him to continue that legacy in death,” Kittrick Johnson Sr. said in a statement.

Johnson's heart was placed with an Oklahoma man, 61; his lung with a Missouri woman, 23; his liver with an Oklahoma woman, 63; his pancreas with an Oklahoma man, 45; and his kidneys with men in Oklahoma and Texas, ages 65 and 39, Van Stavern said.

Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next