One Father's Story

Richard Mullane is a man who's dedicated a lifetime to public service. From the Air Force, to Long Island, N.Y.'s Ambulance Company, to the Suffolk County Police Department, Richard has always been ready to help others in need. And he passed on that spirit of giving to his son, Rick. According to his father, "Rick was very giving and fun-loving. He'd give you the shirt off his back and go cold." So, when Rick got his first driver's license, it was no surprise that the teenager not only signed the donor part on his card, but also let his parents know his wishes. Little did they realize what a difference that selfless act would make.

Rick had just enlisted in the Air Force, intending to work on C-130s. But on March 6, 2000, the 19-year-old was accidentally shot. Though doctors tried to save him, Rick soon passed away. "Once the grief and the horror were made reality, when it came to that point, we turned right to the organ donor people," Richard said, "because we couldn't let his life end in such a tragedy." Rick's parents, fulfilling his last wishes, allowed him to become a donor.

But the story doesn't end there. Because Rick was young and in good shape, an astonishing 84 people received his organs and tissues. Rick's dad, for one, knows he did the right thing. "Not a day goes by that I don't think about Rick. That I would trade places with him if I could. But I know that he's alive in those 84 people. And I don't know if Rick in his life would've helped that many people as he did in death."

The Mullanes now work tirelessly to spread the word about the benefits of organ donation. You can read more about them by going to donatelife.net.