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| Kate Geer honors her husband, Deputy Derek Geer |
Tuesday afternoon, Kate Geer teamed up with the Donate Life Colorado, St. Mary's Hospital, and the Mesa County Sheriff's Office to talk about the impact of organ donation.
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| Sheriff Matt Lewis talks about the importance of talking about organ donation wishes now. |
Deputy Geer was killed in the line of duty on February 8th, but continued to save lives. He was able to be an organ donor, ultimately saving four lives by giving his heart, liver and both kidneys.
"Even after death, he continued his commitment to helping and protecting others," said Kate Geer.
Donating is a personal choice. Tuesday's event stressed the importance of talking about that personal decision now with loved ones.
The decision to become a donor Kate Geer said was one of the first decisions she and Derek made as a married couple.
"Derek was steadfast in his commitment to it, believing it to be another way to help others, which he did at every turn throughout his life," said Geer. "He even educated me on the fact that as many as eight lives can be saved by one organ donor and more than 50 lives can be saved or healed through one tissue donor."
Since her husband’s passing, Kate has been an active advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation.
On Monday, January 2nd, she will travel to Pasadena to ride on the fourteenth annual Donate Life Rose Parade Float in honor of Deputy Geer.
She will be in the 5-mile-long parade alongside 23 others from around the country who have been touched by donation.
The Donate Life Flag will also fly in Deputy Geer's honor at St. May's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Grand Junction.
You can watch the nationally televised 128th Rose Parade on January 2nd. Check your local listings.
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| As a symbol of gratitude to the Sheriff's Office, Mrs. Geer pinned Donate Life pins on Sheriff Matt Lewis, Capt. Art Smith and Capt. Todd Rowell. |
The decision to become a donor Kate Geer said was one of the first decisions she and Derek made as a married couple.
"Derek was steadfast in his commitment to it, believing it to be another way to help others, which he did at every turn throughout his life," said Geer. "He even educated me on the fact that as many as eight lives can be saved by one organ donor and more than 50 lives can be saved or healed through one tissue donor."
Since her husband’s passing, Kate has been an active advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation.
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| Donate Life flag raised at St. Mary's Hospital |
She will be in the 5-mile-long parade alongside 23 others from around the country who have been touched by donation.
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| Sheriff Matt Lewis, Capt. Art Smith and Capt. Todd Rowell watch flag raising. |
You can watch the nationally televised 128th Rose Parade on January 2nd. Check your local listings.
To learn more about organ donation click here.
To watch the full press conference click here.
