As a trailblazer in politics, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was no stranger to making a difference in the state of Ohio. She was Ohio’s first African-American woman elected to Congress dedicating her life to public service by helping others. Following her death last August, it was no surprise that she was a registered organ and tissue donor and her legacy of life would continue through organ and tissue donation.
Stephanie was elected to Congress by her Northeast Ohio constituents. In the three months following her death, there was a dramatic increase in the number of people in Northeast Ohio and statewide registering online to be organ and tissue donors. Registrations rates soared 500 percent and reached an all-time high in October 2008. Since her death the total of online registrants is three times what it was over the same period one year ago.
“Over the past eight months, there has been a ‘Stephanie Effect’ throughout the state of Ohio and in particular Northeast Ohio with the number of people becoming registered organ and tissue donors,” said Gordon Bowen, Chief Executive Officer of Lifebanc, the organ and tissue recovery organization in Northeast Ohio. “Ohioans are following Stephanie’s example to help save lives.”
“Somebody of her stature, she always had the power to make a difference in people’s lives.” That is just one of many countless stories Lifebanc has heard in the surrounding communities about the Congresswoman. In churches, at health fairs and in hospitals, people have told Lifebanc they have become registered donors after seeing how Stephanie Tubbs Jones saved lives. A local donor family stated they chose to donate their loved ones organs because that is what Stephanie did.
Barbara Walker, the sister of Stephanie Tubbs Jones, said she was compelled to become an organ donor in the wake of her sister’s example. The increase in online registrants “really blew my mind,” said Walker. “I know people loved her. Stephanie was such a big part of a lot of people’s lives. But when you see something like this, it really is a testament.”
On August 20, 2008, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones died after suffering a brain aneurysm. Lifebanc has worked closely with the Tubbs Jones family making every effort so that the Congresswoman’s last wish to be an organ and tissue donor and give the Gift of Life to others was realized.
“I now have a new mission,” said Barbara Walker, “after seeing the powerful effects of donation, I am on board to help in any way I can.” On April 30, 2009, the inaugural Lifebanc Legacy of Life award was presented to the family of the late Congresswoman at Lifebanc’s Legacy of Life Luncheon. The award was created to honor heroes who have educated the public about organ and tissue donation and been a catalyst for the increase in the number of individuals designating their wishes as registered organ and tissue donors. “My mom has won countless awards but this one means so much,” said Mervyn Jones II, Stephanie’s son. “It’s not just about my mother; it’s about all the lives that are being saved through organ and tissue donation.”
“She was just the type of person who basically would do whatever she could for anybody,” Walker said. And her legacy will live on through the Gift of Life.