Braxton Woods

When Braxton Woods was 10 years old, he went with his mother, Loretta, to the DMV. Braxton requested a Missouri identification card, and after learning what it means to be an organ, tissue and eye donor, he decided to join the registry.

Three years later, when Braxton was in a car accident and passed away, Loretta honored his wishes to become a donor.

“Knowing Braxton was a donor helped with the healing process and made me find a way to honor him,” Loretta said.

Loretta started an organization that encourages African Americans and Hispanics — who have the lowest donor registration numbers and the highest representation on the transplant waiting list — to register as organ donors. She works to dispel the misconception that clinicians won’t try to save a life because the patient is registered as a donor.

“If a 10-year-old can determine he wants to help someone in the event of his death, surely an adult can make that decision as well,” Loretta said.