Bleeding Carolina Blue

I came across this inspiring story while going over the AOL Sports Blog site.


http://www.aolsportsblog.com/2007/04/19/unc-mascots-death-gives-nj-man-life/

UNC Mascot's Death Gives NJ Man Life

Posted Apr 19th 2007 7:05AM by Sportz Assassin. Filed under: North Carolina Basketball, ACC Basketball, Carolina

By now, most of you know the sad story of University of North Carolina mascot Jason Ray, who died three days after being struck by an SUV in northern New Jersey. Rest assured that while his passing was a very sad story ... everything else about Ray is a happy tale.

The kid who was full of life decided to help others get a second chance at one. Ray was an organ donor and his organs have already come to great use. The Press of Atlantic City share a remarkable story of a New Jersey man who's life was saved because Ray was a donor. Dennis Korzelius, 43, was married just two months before being told that his liver was failing and he was certain to die. Not, may or could die ... he was already preparing for his death.

Ray's death made another liver available to the long list of people needing one. Korzelius was 2nd on the list, and was called to come to the hospital immediately because the top person on the list probably wasn't going to live long enough to receive the liver [in an ironic twist, the top person was from the Georgetown section of Washington. The Tar Heels lost to Georgetown the night before Ray died]. The man from Georgetown passed away and Korzelius can get Ray's liver.

Dennis Korzelius used to hate basketball. He would rather have watched ice hockey or ride his Harley-Davidson motorcyle instead of taking in a game of hoops. But Korzelius said that changed when doctors told him his life was saved by a 21-year-old who bled "Carolina Blue."
Now Korzelius said he will have "Carolina Blue" pumping through his veins for the rest of his life. Ray's other organs have, no doubt, saved numerous other lives.

Donations to the "Jason Kendall Ray Memorial Fund" can be sent in care of Concord Christian Church to 3101 Davidson Highway, Concord, NC.