Dedication, inspiration

On April 16, on what was described as a “perfect Carolina day,” Jason Ray’s legacy was celebrated as the UNC Hospitals Jason Ray Transplant Clinic was officially dedicated.

“Jason’s story was only tragic at the end,” Emmitt Ray, II, Jason’s brother, told the crowd. “In his 21 years, he accomplished more than many of us will in our entire lifetimes.”

In 2007, UNC-Chapel Hill student Jason Ray – who had spent three years as Rameses, the Tar Heels’ mascot — was with the Carolina men’s basketball team in New Jersey, the site of that year’s NCAA Tournament East Regional finals, when he was struck by a vehicle. He died three days later.

Because Ray was an organ donor, more than 100 other families were able to see their loved ones live.

That includes David Erving, who at the time of Ray’s accident had been on the kidney transplant waiting list for five years. He received Ray’s kidney and pancreas. Nine years later, Charlotte Ray, Jason’s mom, said Erving still calls every two weeks to talk about his health, his family and his appreciation.

“I can’t say thank you enough,” Erving said at the dedication ceremony. “Jason’s gift saved my life.”

Seeing the impact Jason’s gift had on the families of the people who received his organs and tissue, Charlotte and Emmitt Ray approached UNC Hospitals to discuss ways to honor their son’s legacy.

The Jason Ray Foundation was created to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation and also to provide monetary support for patients on the transplant list and their families. The goal is to raise $1 million, and Charlotte Ray said the Foundation is nearly half way there.

David Gerber, UNC Hospitals’ Chief of Abdominal Transplant Surgery, said he remembers first meeting the Rays in the summer of 2007. Though they were still reeling from the loss of their son, Gerber said he was inspired by their resolve to help others.

“That was such an emotional time for us in Chapel Hill,” Gerber said. “Now, nine years later, to permanently have Jason’s name on our clinic, I feel this is the least we could do considering all that this family has done for others.”

When Jason’s story made national headlines in 2007, nearly 50,000 people signed up to become organ donors. Lauren Kearns, director of the UNC Center for Transplant Care, said raising the awareness of the importance of organ donation remains vital.

“Across the country there are 120,000 people on a waiting list for an organ donation and there are 3,000 in North Carolina alone,” Kearns said. “Every organ donor has the potential to save eight lives, and impact countless others.”

Emmitt Ray said he hopes patients who receive care in the Jason Ray Transplant Clinic will learn about his son.

“Jason really and truly enjoyed life. He loved helping people. He’s still helping people,” Emmitt Ray said.