Donor Family Story
Evan & Julie Spear: A legacy of hope inspiring the gift of life
Julie lost her son Evan when he was 19 years old and had just finished his sophomore year of college. Evan is remembered for bringing people together and embodying the kind and giving spirit of the Rocky Mountain region.
When Evan died, Julie began a journey she could never have imagined. Evan’s decision to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor was transformed Julie’s journey. Several weeks after Evan’s death, his transplant recipients began reaching out to Julie. Hearing their stories helped her transition from total emotional darkness to a place filled with light and honor. Evan’s recipients told her about their illnesses, the quality of their lives before their transplant, and how they had needed a miracle. Evan was their miracle—a realization that provided comfort to Julie.
After personally witnessing the far-reaching, life-transforming impact of Evan’s decision to say yes to donation, and to honor Evan’s legacy, Julie became a non-directed kidney donor in August 2023. Julie’s non-directed kidney donation started a chain of 10 living donor transplants.
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