It’s hard to find the silver lining in difficult circumstances. More so, in the midst of loss and grieving. Kathleen Thorson was an incredible woman who, shortly after bringing life into the world, unexpectedly had to fight for her own.
Just five days after giving birth to her fourth child, she experienced complications and was rushed to the emergency room because of severe bleeding in her brain. The cause of bleeding still remains unknown. Doctors tried to save her but Kathleen’s condition was deteriorating.
Kathleen was a light to everyone. She proved it even more as she expressed her wish to become an organ donor, something the entire family prayed would be granted.
When Kathleen passed away, the doctors were able to clear her for organ donation but what happened after was nothing short of amazing. Her generous decision resulted in the survival of not one, not two, but twelve individuals who needed transplants.
On the GoFundMe page created for the family, a good friend of Kathleen’s named Richard Stubbs shared:
“The nurse told me the chances that someone is a candidate of this magnitude is less than one in a million. But anyone who knew Kathleen already knew that she was one in a million.”
Acknowledging the grief of Kathleen’s family and friends, Stubbs described how the loss was incredibly difficult, more so for Kathleen’s husband, Jesse.
“We would happily do anything it took to bring Kathleen back to us but we are so grateful that someone else’s mother, daughter, father, friend, brother, sister, son or love will be coming home thanks to Kathleen’s ultimate sacrifice.”
Originally, the family’s aim was to raise $50,000 to help cover Kathleen’s medical expenses but amazingly enough, over $110,000 was raised. On the fundraising page, updates detailed how the extra money would be used to grow a garden for Kathleen’s kids to enjoy, as well as for the family’s everyday expenses.
The story of Kathleen’s generosity and thoughtfulness reached so many others, including actress Kristen Bell.
In a post dated January 21st, the actress posted a photo of the family on her Instagram page with the caption: “This week’s Year of Hello Bello Bundles goes to Jesse Thorson, father to baby boy, Teddy (in addition to 3 other kiddos), from Medford, Oregon. Four days after his wife, Kathleen, gave birth she suffered a devastating intracerebral hemorrhage and after several surgeries, it was clear she wouldn’t survive. Before she passed earlier this month, Kathleen said she wanted to save as many lives as possible and donated an almost unheard of 12 organs, including her heart and lungs. Jesse – our thoughts are with your family during this unimaginably difficult time. Sending peace and love your way. @thethorsons @hellobello”
Through her baby care line HelloBello, the actress also gave the family a year’s supply of free diapers for Teddy.
The outpouring of love, kindness, and support from everyone continues to inspire Jesse and the family to keep going despite the difficult passing of Kathleen. Hers is an inspiring story definitely worth sharing.
One family may have had to mourn a life just before the new year but however heartbreaking, the loss and sacrifice allowed others to celebrate many new ones.
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