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Published -
- February 12, 2020
- 5:13 pm
One Virginia dad received a gift that brought him to tears.
When 16-year-old Dakota Reid died in a car accident last year, his father, John, made the decision to donate his organs to give others a second chance at life. Six of Dakota’s organs were donated, and the man who got his heart sent John a special gift, a bear with a recording of Dakota’s heart beating inside its recipient.
What motivated the Perez family to donate their son’s organs?
The loss of a child is undoubtedly one of the most heartbreaking experiences a parent can go through. The grief is overwhelming, and there are often no words to describe the pain. However, in a heartwarming story that has since gone viral, a father was brought to tears after hearing his late son’s heartbeat in a stuffed bear.
The story began in 2015, when 19-year-old A.J. Perez tragically passed away in a car accident. His parents, Stephanie and Jerry Perez, made the selfless decision to donate their son’s organs, including his heart. Years later, A.J.’s heart was transplanted into 16-year-old Jordan Drake, who had been born with a congenital heart defect.
Jordan and the Perez family have since remained close, and in a touching tribute, they decided to record A.J.’s heartbeat and transfer it into a stuffed bear for her. When Jordan presented the bear to Jerry, he was overcome with emotion and broke down in tears.
In a video that captured the emotional moment, Jerry can be seen hugging the bear tightly as he listens to his son’s heartbeat. He later described the experience as “the best thing that [has] ever happened to [him].”
The story has since been shared widely on social media, with many people touched by the powerful bond between the two families. It’s a poignant reminder of the impact organ donation can have and how it can bring comfort and healing to families during difficult times.
In an interview with a local news outlet, Stephanie Perez said, “It’s just amazing that a little bit of him is living through somebody else, and that’s all that we can hope for when we donated his organs.” Her sentiment echoes the belief that organ donation can not only save lives but also bring a sense of purpose and meaning to those who have lost loved ones.
The story of Jerry Perez and Jordan Drake is a testament to the power of human connection, compassion, and generosity. It’s an uplifting reminder that even in the face of tragedy, there can be hope and healing. And for Jerry, the sound of his son’s heartbeat in a stuffed bear serves as a constant reminder that A.J. will always be with him.
