Mikayla Bonner: A Young Life Remembered, A Legacy of Healing Through Donation

Mikayla Bonner was bright, vibrant, had a great smile, and made friends with people who had difficulty making friends. Most of all, she made memories with her mother, Kola Atkins, and younger sisters, Mattie and Mae.

Mikayla was 14 when she passed away from a pulmonary embolism. Mom said there was “no hesitation” to make her an eye and tissue donor.

“Mikayla’s heart valves went to two babies that night that were at Children’s Mercy. So those moms got to hold their babies. Lots of her skin went to burn victims at Children’s Mercy. I find great comfort in that those moms got to hold their babies.”

Mom joined the donor registry at age 16. “I’ve always talked about organ donation with my girls and family growing up. It’s not an easy conversation, but you just work it in. This is what you do to help other people.”

Mattie and Mae followed Mikayla’s example through Girl Scouts, their love of music and helping others. “We’re able to take comfort in knowing she helped people even before she passed away, and now she’s continuing to help people. She’s being remembered in a way that I think she’d like to be remembered.”

The family shares lots of stories about Mikayla. “We won’t let her be forgotten. We still remember her.”