Exclusive: Mother of Justin Carr Speaks Organ Donation

CHARLOTTE, NC — More people donated organs in North Carolina last year than ever before. It’s a trend LifeShare Of The Carolinas attributes to education and the giving spirit of the people.

For the first time, the mother of a man killed during the Charlotte protests last September opens up about how his death saved lives.

It’s a moment Vivian Carr endured while most of the country watched.

Her son, Justin Car, was trying to leave the protests when someone shot and killed him.

To see the previous report, click here.

“He was doing good with his life here,” said Vivian Carr.

He was 26-years-old. He drove a semi truck. He had a son on the way.

So, she decided to do good by donating his organs.

Three strangers are alive because of his heart, liver and lungs.

“It’s a beautiful thing, though,” said Vivian Carr.

LifeShare Of The Carolinas says 104 people donated organs in 2016, compared to 79 in 2015.

Allyson Robinson’s son, Travis, received one of those donations.

“In the darkest moment of their life, to think about somebody they’ve never even met, said Robinson.

Her son is 15-months-old now. She says he spent five months in the hospital waiting for a heart.

“I just kept thinking he’s never, I’m never, going to be able to see him grow up to do certain things like walk,” said Robinson. “I started to wrap my mind around the possibility that I would have to grieve the loss of a child.”

Thanks to the family who donated their child’s heart, he survived.

“Now, he has another chance,” said Robinson.

Despite a record year, nearly 3,000 North Carolinians are waiting for organs.

That’s why Carr’s mother says she decided to donate her son’s organs.

She says meeting a family that’s been through the process solidified her choice even more.

“People won’t have to grieve like I’m going through right now if we had more donors to donate,” said Vivian Carr.

If you would like to sign up to be an organ donor, you can do so at:
· The DMV
· In North Carolina at www.lifesharecarolinas.org
· In South Carolina, sign-up at www.donatelifesc.org