A year after receiving a life-saving heart transplant, KU basketball icon Scott Pard has learned the identity of his donor and is honoring the man who saved his life. His donor, Casey Angel, was a Texas man known for his generosity and kindness. According to his sister, Angel would “give the shirt off his back to a stranger,” which is why his family made the decision to donate his organs.
Pard, who went from being an NBA champion to fighting for his life in an ICU, was determined to find out who had given him a second chance. He wrote notes in the hospital after his transplant to capture his emotions, but it took him six months to feel ready to write a letter to his donor’s family. That letter eventually reached Angel’s sister, Megan Tyra, who responded, creating a powerful connection between the two families.
Angel’s family recalls the heartbreaking moment of saying goodbye, knowing his donation would save lives. Though they grieve their loss, they find comfort in knowing Angel’s heart continues to beat inside Pard. “Casey is a part of Scott now,” Tyra said, calling it an emotional but rewarding experience that reassures them they made the right choice.
Pard now works to champion organ donation in honor of Casey Angel. In March, he plans to fly to Texas to meet Angel’s family in person for the first time, a moment expected to be filled with emotion and gratitude. As both families prepare for the meeting, they find solace in knowing that Angel’s legacy lives on through Pard’s life.
