Robert

Robert Washington Jr.

Robert Washington Jr. signed up to be an organ donor after completing his road test in the state of Wisconsin. His mother Annette had told him not to. She believed in the common misconception that doctors wouldn’t try to save your life if you were a registered organ donor. 

An organization had just visited Robert’s school and educated his class on organ, eye and tissue donation. The information he received impacted his decision that day. 

When he tragically died at the age of 20 in 2014, Annette remembered that moment. Robert was able to donate his corneas, tissue and heart valves- helping numerous recipients live healthier lives.  

He also changed his mother’s opinion on organ donation. 

Gwen Foster

While living in Wisconsin, Annette’s sister Gwen would visit frequently from Michigan. At the time she was on peritoneal dialysis and in need of a kidney transplant. She had been on the waitlist for five years.  

It had come to a point where doctors were concerned if Gwen didn’t receive a kidney transplant that she would pass. They encouraged her to find a living donor.  

Out of all Gwen’s siblings, Annette was the only one able to move forward with the testing process. She went through the testing, receiving what she says was the ‘best physical she received in her life.’ 

Although she wasn’t a match for Gwen, Annette participated in a donor pairing program—donating her kidney to a stranger so Gwen could receive a compatible one. 

Annette’s donation helped give her sister more time with her family—time that mattered deeply. Though Gwen passed away in February 2024, her life was extended because of Annette’s decision to act. Following her sister’s passing, Annette relocated to Michigan to help in the care of Gwen’s children. 

Annette

Following Robert’s death, Annette started to attend events through Versiti, the blood donation and scientific research organization, while she was living in Wisconsin. She had heard another donor mother share a story about her child and became inspired. She decided to do the same. She started volunteering with the organization and sharing Robert’s story to help her through her grief.  

Today, Annette continues her role as an advocate for donation, serving on the Advisory Board for Versiti. She recently went to Washington, D.C. to participate in Advocacy Day, sharing both her story as a living donor and donor mom. She also works to combat the misinformation around donation that she herself once believed.  

Robert’s decision to be an organ donor gave her the courage to do more than she ever anticipated, including being a living donor to her sister, Gwen and an advocate for organ, eye and tissue donation.