USA: In a poignant turn of events, Anne Mormon commemorates a bittersweet milestone, the birthday of her late daughter Ashley Russell, with hopes of turning personal tragedy into life-saving efforts. Just last November, Ashley, aged 31, eagerly awaited the birth of her first child, when an unexpected seizure wrought a devastating outcome. Rushed to UW Health Swedish American Hospital, emergency surgery was carried out, but the mother and child‘s fates were sealed. Ashley was declared brain dead, and tragically, her newborn daughter, Tilly, passed away 10 days later.
Despite this profound loss, a glimmer of hope emerges from the darkness. Ashley, known for her compassionate spirit through her work at OSF St. Anthony, had a firm belief in the power of organ donation. Her mother, Anne, found solace in honoring Ashley’s wishes, ensuring that her daughter’s organs and tissues were donated. This selfless act led to the raising of a flag at the hospital in Ashley and Tilly’s honor, symbolizing a legacy of hope and renewal.
Anne Mormon, while wresting with the depth of her loss, holds onto the hope that the remnants of Ashley and Tilly’s lives can yield multiple chances for others. Highlighting the myriad needs beyond just organs, Anne emphasizes the crucial role of tissue in medical research and patient rehabilitation. Her aspirations rest on the belief that facilitating a single birthday celebration or family reunion for others would reinforce Ashley’s enduring impact on the world and bring peace to her grieving heart.
March 26th marks Epilepsy Awareness Day, a cause now eternally intertwined with Ashley’s story. The bereaved family calls on the public to volunteer, donate, or wear purple, honoring Ashley’s memory and shining a light on the importance of organ donation. Through this legacy, Ashley and Tilly’s stories become potent symbols of resilience, hope, and life.
