In December 2010, Cameron Greenwood died due to complications from diabetes, but even after his death, he was able to help approximately 53 more people as an organ and issue donor.
Greenwood’s death in December 2010 was unexpected.
Five years before, Greenwood was diagnosed with diabetes. Smith said her son was on two types of insulin four times a day, but that never slowed him down. He met his wife, Tawny, just before being diagnosed. The couple married in 2007 and welcomed their son Elijah shortly thereafter. After graduating from Forsyth High School, Greenwood moved his family to Tulsa, Okla., where he attended Victory Bible Institute. After one year in Tulsa, the couple discovered they were about to have another child and moved back to the Branson area.
On Nov. 7, their daughter Faith was born.
Less than a month later on Dec. 4, Greenwood thought he was battling the flu, but later found out it was diabetic ketoacidosis. On Dec. 6, he went into cardiac arrest and died a day later.
Eight months before, though, he got a new driver’s license and it was at that time, he indicated on the back of the license that he wanted to be a donor.
His heart and both kidneys were in perfect condition and quickly went to three other people. Through tissue and bone donation, he also changed the lives of up to 50 other people, according to Smith.
“My son spent his life trying to make an impact on other’s lives and now he has become a hero,” Smith said. “That is the reason for the NASCAR race car in Cameron’s name, to raise awareness about the personal side of organ donation.”
In an effort to keep her son’s memory alive, Stacey Smith and her family want to continue supporting the organ donor organization, Donate Life America, in a not-so-conventional way. Through the end of August, people can go online and vote for a NASCAR design in memory of Greenwood.
“When the contest is over, the panel of judges from NASCAR will take the top 10 cars and chose one that will win,” said Smith. “If Cameron’s car wins, they will make that car for the foundation.”
She said the car will be used to promote Donate Life America, something her son, a Forsyth High School graduate, cared deeply about.
“He spent his whole life trying to save other people,” she said.
Whether the car is picked or not, the family will not see any monetary gain. NASCAR will send the family to the race to see it on the track.
“What we are trying to do in Cameron’s memory is show that donor are heroes,” Smith said
Smith is simply asking for people’s help by voting for her son’s car daily.
To vote, visit sponsafier.com and click on gallery. Cameron Greenwood’s car is No. 18. To vote, simply click on the word “vote.”
According to Smith, while the website currently indicates voting is closed on the Cameron Greenwood car, it is expected to re-open in October.