SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - This is a touching story about one Utah family's unbelievable heartbreak and another's prayers answered. The tragic death of a 12-year-old Vernal girl meant a new chance at life for another toddler. Through that organ donation the two families have become one
Not yet two years old and London Badgers knows who her angel is. Her father says, “Every night that I put London down to bed we always say thanks to her and look at her little picture by her crib.”
When 12 year old Ashley was hit and killed in a car accident her parents made the decision to donate her organs. A decision they say the selfless young girl would have wanted. Ashley’s mother Camie Lacey says, “She was the type of child that she would want to give and this is how she would want to play it out.”
London now carries Ashley’s liver and enjoys her newfound health. With no confirmation from the hospital and only a hunch that Ashley’s liver went to London, the Badgers went to Ashley’s funeral to pay their respects. It was during the funeral that the two families realized who the other was.
Lizzie Badger says, “From the minute we hugged, when we realized who the other was, it was just the most heart felt connection.” Lacey adds, “The instant I hugged her we were forever linked.”
The Badgers keep a picture of Ashley. It’s their constant reminder of the sacrifice it took to keep their daughter alive. For Ashley’s family, watching London grow is seeing a part of Ashley live on. Lacey says, “The times when I get down and miss Ashley all I have to do is look at a picture of London and it makes it all better.”
Nearly a year later the two families keep in close contact, and both are passionate about organ donation.
Ashley also donated a kidney and pancreas to a woman in Salt Lake, the other half of her liver to someone in California, and her heart to a young boy in Canada.
