Child abuse victim's legacy lives on through organ donation
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The death of a young child gave others a second chance at life. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Roderick "RJ" Arrington was just 7 years old when he died in late November. Police say his mother and stepfather's brutal abuse caused his tragic death.
Both Markiece and Dina Palmer face murder and child abuse charges and are awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for March.
Meanwhile, the legacy of young RJ lives on. His grandmother tells us his organs were donated, giving others a second chance at life.
RJ's grandmother, Latanza Harris has good days and bad days after the death of her first grandchild. But it was a good day when she received a letter in the mail from the Nevada Donor Network.
RJ's liver went to a young man. His kidney went to a 61-year-old woman. Another kidney and his pancreas went to a 30-year-old. RJ's heart now beats inside of an 8-year-old boy.
"I know he's allowing someone else to live through his organs," Harris said. "God is using them."
Five organs, four lives...all changed forever.
"He's got a good heart, so whoever the child is that got that heart is truly blessed," Harris said. "They're all blessed, but oh my goodness, it would be special with RJ's heart."
RJ's tragic story was given a happy ending because he kept giving even after he was gone.
"They leave a legacy. Organ donors really are heroes," said Kate McCullough with the Nevada Donor Network. "They save lives. They change lives."
Only 40 percent of Nevada adults are registered organ donors.
"Unfortunately only a small percentage of the people who register will actually become donors. We always need more," said McCullough.
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