Jason Ryan Bennett

Jason was born on August 18, 1978, and died on May 11, 1996. He had more enthusiasm for life than most, was fearless, smiled often, loved to give hugs, loved his friends and family, and loved being an active participant in our family celebrations. His exuberant spirit kept us all on our toes in an effort to keep him safe.
He was 3 months shy of his 18th birthday when he was injured in a head-on car crash, and he died four days after the crash. He was a back seat passenger in a car carrying four boys, and he was the only passenger who died. Jason's heart, liver, two kidneys, two corneas, and tissue were donated. His organ recipients received their gifts of life on Mother's Day.
I met Jason's liver recipient "Pip," and his family in 1997 and I'm thankful for having a continuing connection with them for 24 years. In her first letter to me, Pip's wife, Linda, shared that their 8-year-old daughter, Lara, hoped that her dad would live to see her graduate from high school. Pip lived with Jason's liver for 16 years and passed away in 2012 from congestive heart failure. He surpassed Lara's wish by several years and attended her wedding in 2012.
The special connections I've shared with Pip and his family through the years have been a blessing to me. Pip's granddaughter, Nova, was born on Jason's birthday and Pip was so proud of that. Jason's middle name is Ryan and Lara married Ryan, and they named their son Ryan.
Assembling the donor memorial quilts has been a meaningful experience for me. If Jase were living, I'd be making quilts for him and his children so it seems fitting for me to assemble the donor memorial quilts because of Jason. He would be pleased.