Mom’s death, organ donation turns into holiday blessing for many

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) –The loss of a loved one is never easy and one Wilmington mom was faced with that over the weekend, but she has found the good in a very sad situation.

Mother Carol Williams says her daughter, Melissa, recently died. Williams was then forced to make a decision to donate her organs.

“Melissa’s father, my husband, just passed around less than six months ago and so we have had the talk,” Williams said. “We had all talked before about when and what to do if something were to happen. I knew what exactly my husband wanted of me and I knew what she wanted.”

Melissa wanted to be an organ donor.

“My daughter was my first born,” Williams said. “She was a mother of a 9-year-old. She was a hairdresser by profession. Had lots of friends that loved her.”

Williams said Melissa had a love for others that continued after her death.

“The nurses came to see me and told me that they would pray for every donor before they begin procedure and  thank them for their donations, which is wonderful, to know that my child was in Christian hands,” said Williams. “They were able to harvest six different organs.”

One of the organs was her heart.

Williams said, “Someone is going to if they haven’t already have her heart, and a heart of a 37-year-old.”

Williams said Melissa has given several people the ultimate Christmas gift, another chance at life.

According to Carolina Donor Services, more than 120,000 people in the Untied State need a lifesaving organ transplant. More than a 3,000 of those live in North Carolina.