Kathleen Thorson had a fulfilling life with her loving husband, Jesse, and their growing family. They welcomed a beautiful baby boy named Teddy. However, tragedy struck when Kathleen became terminally ill. Instead of focusing on her own struggles, Kathleen’s thoughts turned to helping others. In a remarkable act of compassion, she made the decision to become an organ donor, giving the precious gift of life to others as she approached the end of her own life.
Kathleen made an extraordinary gesture by donating 12 of her organs, including her heart and lungs, to patients in need. This selfless act is a rare and remarkable contribution that will have a significant impact on the lives of those who receive her organs. To support Jesse and their children, Danny, Grace, James, and Teddy, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help them navigate the challenges of life without Kathleen.
Just five days after welcoming baby Teddy, Kathleen experienced a devastating intracerebral hemorrhage. Even with numerous surgeries and the tireless efforts of her medical team, it became apparent that she would not make it. In her last moments, Kathleen made sure that her impact would endure by saving lives, showcasing an extraordinary level of selflessness and love.
“Kathleen’s condition deteriorated to a point that she could no longer survive. As was her wish, we are doing everything we can for her to be the prayed-for miracle of life for certain others in need of organ donations,” wrote Richard Stubbs, the organizer of the GoFundMe campaign on January 8, 2020. “There aren’t many words to be said except that we love her, and we will miss her with every breath we take. Through all of this hardship, her love, life, and magic are still felt,” he added.
Kathleen’s dying wish became a reality when it was discovered that she met the criteria to be a viable organ donor for all of her organs. On January 11, 2020, Stubbs shared an update on the campaign, stating, “The nurse informed Jesse that the chances of someone being a candidate of this magnitude are less than 1 in a million. But those who knew Kathleen were already aware of that. We are thrilled to announce that Kathleen will be able to bring the hoped-for miracle to nearly a dozen individuals who are eagerly awaiting an organ donation.”
“We are willing to do whatever it takes to bring Kathleen back to us, but we are incredibly grateful that another person’s loved one will be able to come home thanks to Kathleen’s selfless sacrifice. We hold her dear to our hearts, and her absence is deeply felt. We will always love and miss her. May God protect her heart as it quickens at the sight of children playing, may He fill her lungs with the fragrance of lavender fields for someone else to enjoy, and may the angels in heaven celebrate as they welcome Kathleen home,” he expressed with heartfelt emotion.
Actress Kristen Bell was moved by Thorson’s story and took to Instagram to share her support. Bell, who owns the baby line HelloBello, announced that she would be providing the family with a year’s supply of wipes and diapers. In her post, Bell also acknowledged the incredible generosity of Kathleen, who expressed her desire to save as many lives as possible by donating 12 organs, including her heart and lungs. Bell offered her heartfelt condolences to Jesse and his family, sending them peace and love during this incredibly difficult time.
The GoFundMe campaign exceeded all expectations by raising an impressive $130,385, which was well beyond their initial target of $50,000. In fact, they even surpassed their stretch goal of $95,000. This incredible amount will greatly assist the Thorson family with their medical expenses, funeral costs, and enable Jesse to spend valuable time with his children. Stubbs, the campaign organizer, expressed his gratitude by stating that the additional funds would be used to create a beautiful garden in the family’s backyard. He emphasized that every extra contribution would immensely help Jesse in paying off bills and fulfilling the dreams he and Kathleen shared of having a stunning garden. Kathleen had envisioned this space to not only teach her children about gardening but also to host enjoyable gatherings with friends and live out her cherished ‘hobbit’ dreams.