Honoring Our Heroes... Michael Budd

As told by his mom Kathy

Mike was a good man with a big heart for others, and he would help anyone anytime that he could. One of Mike's favorite pastimes was to ride his motorcycle and make new friends. When he met a fellow rider, he or she became a brother or sister, and a friend for life. Mike loved everyone he rode with. He also had a furry companion, his beloved dog Gordo, who was his sidekick for many years.

Mike’s journey into donation began when he was just a young teen, and he made the decision to enroll as an organ donor. I had already signed a donor card and wanted him to feel comfortable with my choice. We chatted about it a few times over the years, mainly to remind him and my husband that this is what my final wishes were. Mike re-affirmed his desire to donate his organs when we talked, and it made him happy to think that he could help others to see and/or live better lives.

Mike passed away suddenly a decade later. Because we had "the talk" about donation, Unyts was able to use his eyes to help others see, and use tissues for Alzheimer's research and other purposes.

A couple of weeks after his death I was cleaning out his apartment. On the coffee table was a slip of paper and a handwritten note, stating that he would like to his organs donated after his death. The note was dated six weeks before he died. The note brought tears, yet a bit of comfort, to know I honored his final wish.

Mike’s donation is a testament to the kind and loving person that he was. He is greatly missed by his family and friends.

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