Milwaukee mom raises awareness of National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month and a Milwaukee mother is sharing her story of loss to educate others about the importance of organ and tissue donation.

Colette Shumpert's son, Michael Brown, was shot and killed while in a car with a friend in 2012. The 24-year-old was a registered donor. Through his untimely, tragic death, his mother said he was able to save the lives of 10 people.

Brown's tissue, kidneys, heart and liver ended the agonizing waiting game for organ recipients in southeastern Wisconsin and across the country.

The Blood Center of Wisconsin hopes to call attention to power of giving life all month long.

Volunteers spent the day hanging crochet butterflies in trees near 18th and Wisconsin. The insect is a symbol of rebirth and new life for the organ donor and donor family.

Shumpert has yet to meet the people saved by her son's gifts, but says they're all doing well and that gives her peace.

\"My son has a legacy,\" she said. \"And there is no need out of tragedy to not allow life to still become a part of someone else. It is important to me we do what we can as a community knowing that we need organs.\"

Right now, more than 2,400 people are on the waiting list for an organ transplant in Wisconsin.

To learn more about National Donate Life month and how to become a donor, click here.

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