LOPA Introduces Children’s Book to Honor Local Heroes and Help Families Talk about Organ Donation
LOPA (Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency) announced the release of a new children’s book, entitled “Ava’s Wish.”
The book is the inaugural release in a series coordinated by LOPA to honor local donor heroes and to help families and loved ones explain organ, tissue and eye donation through the courageous stories of donor heroes. The book supports LOPA’s mission to save lives, restore health and enhance medical care through organ and tissue donation.
“Ava’s Wish” was written about six-year-old Ava Grace Branstetter who lost her life in 2016. LOPA supported Ava’s family in their decision to donate her organs, which saved the lives of four others in need of her gifts. Ava’s mom, Emily Branstetter, said her family wanted to share Ava’s inspiring story with her siblings, as well as help other children who may be struggling to understand tragic loss and the donation process. “‘I think the book will be very beneficial for everyone,” she said. “I’m very proud of it and it means a lot to me that Ava can continue to inspire others with her story.”
“The LOPA team supports families from the time of their decision to donate and throughout their entire grief journey,” said Lori Steele, LOPA Community Educator and Media Specialist. “This book was the result of working with Ava Grace’s family to honor their hero in a unique way by telling her story and explaining the need for donation to children in an age appropriate way.”
The project was a collaboration between Ava’s family, LOPA and local volunteers, including authors Alisha Prather and Sadie Wilks, illustrator Tagan Mire and designer Elizabeth Perry. “The book honors a little girl with a huge heart who was called to heaven way too soon,” said Prather. “We never had the opportunity to meet Ava but learning about her, seeing photos, and hearing stories from her mom, sisters and grandparents gave us a clear picture of Ava’s joy and her heart.” Wilks added, “The best part of writing this book was getting to know Ava. Telling her story was our honor.”
Ava’s Wish is available for purchase on Amazon.
It is the inaugural book in the GiftedLife series published by LOPA to share heroic stories of organ, tissue and eye donors and their families, as well as the recipients of their gifts. It is an extension of The Gifted Life podcast, also produced by LOPA.