A Life Everlasting

The Extraordinary Gift of One Boy's Gift to Medical Science

By: Sarah Gray

Narrated by: Sarah Gray

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

A donor mother's powerful memoir of grief and rebirth that is also a fascinating medical science whodunit, taking us inside the world of organ, eye, tissue, and blood donation and cutting-edge scientific research.

When Sarah Gray received the devastating news that her unborn son, Thomas, was diagnosed with anencephaly, a terminal condition, she decided she wanted his death - and life - to have meaning. In the weeks before she gave birth to her twin sons in 2010, she arranged to donate Thomas' organs. Due to his low birth weight, they would go to research rather than transplant. As transplant donors have the opportunity to meet recipients, Sarah wanted to know how Thomas' donation would be used.

That curiosity fueled a scientific odyssey that led Sarah to some of the most prestigious scientific facilities in the country, including Harvard, Duke, and the University of Pennsylvania. Pulling back the curtain of protocol and confidentiality, she introduces the researchers who received Thomas' donations, held his liver in their hands, studied his cells under the microscopes.

Sarah's journey to find solace and understanding takes her beyond her son's donations, offering a breathtaking overview of the world of medical research and the valiant scientists on the horizon of discovery. She goes behind the scenes at organ procurement organizations, introducing skilled technicians for whom death means saving lives, empathetic counselors, and the brilliant minds who are finding surprising and inventive ways to treat and cure disease through these donations. She also shares the moving stories of other donor families.

A Life Everlasting is an unforgettable testament to hope, a tribute to life and discovery, and a portrait of unsung heroes pushing the boundaries of medical science for the benefit of all humanity.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2016 Sarah Gray (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

What a story!

What a story! I am forever mindblown by the genius, the tenacity and the drive of this mother who gave a true lesson on how to calibrate one's prospective, determine what you want to make of life's capricious turns (chicken's dungs or chicken salad).
At times she wasn't sure of what to look for or what to expect except the fact that her son's short life would not be in vain or unnoticed, in fact she made sure that he contributed to the most unimaginable researched endeavors geared to the betterment of the human conditions, the advancement of science and treatment of diseases.
True meaning of a purpose driven life.
LONG LIVE THOMAS ❤♾

Extraordinary

This is an extraordinary story. Thank you, Sarah and Ethan Gray. I am alive 12 extra years thanks to my donor and the decades of research that required donated organs and tissue. You have inspired me to learn more about recovery for research in NJ. 🌻💙💚

This book will change lives

This book is incredible. What a difference this family is making. It’s hard to hear about Thomas’ death, but then you realized he’s not dead - he’s giving life to many others. I would want to do the same as Sarah, go see places & meet people involved in Thomas’ donations. My whole family has been registered organ donors for years, but this book opened my eyes to the fact that I need to pursue making my wishes know about donation for research. We live in a small city where that might not be pursued if my surviving family doesn’t request it. Thank you, thank you Sarah! God bless your family.