Family of Wattsburg teen killed in accident to meet her donated organ receiver on national television
"Confident, compassionate, and had a great sense of humor.” Sophie’s father, Ryan Dernar said
Sophie Dernar had a personality that was larger than life, with a big heart to match.
"She tried her best every day, and tried to get better." Ryan said
And it's that heart, that is quite literally living on.
Sophie died on August 8, 2016, just days after she was struck by a vehicle while out on her bicycle.
And even in death, the lover of basketball made the ultimate assist.
As her heart was immediately transplanted to save the life of a young man, that she would never meet.
*"She made it known that she wanted to be an organ donor, so it was a really easy decision for us to make." Sophie’s mother, Janice Dernar said
And two years later, her family will finally come face to face with that young man.
It’s part of a segment on the daytime talk show "The Real."
*The two sides, connected through the Center for Organ Recovery and Education.
"I think you're gonna be connected forever because, you know, they're so grateful.” Janice said “And I’m sure it's as hard as, as hard for them as it's going to be for us."
As for the young man bearing Sophie’s heart, the Dernar's hold a simple request.
"As long as the person that received her organs lives their lives to the fullest, and doesn't waste it, then, that’s all we can ask them." Janice said
As the family prepares for that first meeting, there's a split of emotions, between nervous, and excited. But no matter what, they know they're doing the right thing because it's what Sophie would have wanted them to do.
"You wanna leave this place better than when you arrived, that's what she did." Ryan said
You'll be able to see that meet up on the Erie CW, on Thursday, April 26th.
The Dernar family has a scholarship set up in Sophie’s name, and you can find more information on that by visiting the Erie Community Foundation’s website.
Extra notes:
*In future editions, we will refer to the recipient as a “young man” as he was 14 years old at the time he received the donation.
*Janice mentioned the discussion to become an organ donor came after the family had seen a TV commercial for organ donations prior to Sophie’s death.
*Sophie also successfully donated a kidney to a different person.
*The family has exchanged letters with the young man’s family, but have not yet formally met.