(Photo credit: Nicholas Thielmann)
It was always Aaron's desire to make the world a better place. He was very intentional in his relationships and engaged with people in his many spheres of life including his career as a physiotherapist, his faith and community, and his beloved hobbies like hiking and adventure biking.
(Photo credit: Nicholas Thielmann)
Aaron tragically passed at the young age of 29 in the fall of 2022. His mother Laura shares that "Aaron was a sweet old soul and he cared so much about everyone else." He donated his two kidneys, liver, heart and lungs to grateful recipients, waiting for that second chance at life.
"Knowing that your loved one has been able to share a part of themselves with someone else is truly an honour," says Laura. "To know that those organs are still beating or functioning gives us comfort. We have such a gift that we've been given."
(Aaron with his siblings Andrew, Joel, Emma and Matt)
Laura says that Aaron and all four of his siblings are registered organ donors and when they were faced with this decision at a difficult time for their family, there was no hesitation to move forward with what Aaron would have wanted. They knew that honoring Aaron's wishes would have a profound impact on all the families awaiting a transplant for their loved ones.
(Aaron with his extended family)
Aaron's parents, Laura and Steve are grateful to the health care team at Royal Inland Hospital who cared for Aaron with compassion: "We felt very supported right from the first moment, and the hospital staff were so respectful, caring and sensitive to our family's needs."
(Aaron with his mother Laura and father Steve)
As a family doctor himself, Steve shares: "Transplant recipients recognize how incredibly life-changing it is to receive a precious gift like this. The miracle of organ donation allowed Aaron's organs to provide an ongoing living legacy of health and vitality. It's not only a gift to other families, but a gift to ours."
