STORIES

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Cameron Bolton grew up in Horace, ND and became an extraordinary young man. He was spontaneous, full of energy, and looked for adventure and had his guardian angels working overtime. Every time he did something he loved; his mother worried about him getting hurt. On the evening of June 28th, 2018, Sarah's worst fear became a reality when she received a life-changing phone call from a local sheriff. When she arrived at the hospital everything quickly unfolded in front of her. It was like a bad dream. Although she was experiencing unimaginable pain, a miracle was about to take place. Cameron was an organ donor. He would be giving life back to others. As they sat in the hospital room with Cameron, the brightest rainbow they ever saw filled the sky; all without any sign of rain. At that exact moment, they knew what God planned for Cameron. He kept him alive after his crash so that his heart could be donated. God knew that a heart like his still had way too much love to give. Cameron's heart was filled with kindness, compassion, and a love that made everyone around him feel appreciated. His mother can proudly say that Cameron's heart now beats inside the chest of a 30-year-old man from Iowa whom they hope to meet someday. They know this man will continue blessing those around him because he has Cameron's heart. As days, weeks, and months continue to pass, one miracle after another has taken place through Cameron's donations. His life continues to bless others and the Fisher family has found peace knowing that he continues to live on; that God's plan for Cameron is complete. He was a son, brother, uncle, grandson, friend but most of all a true hero who saved and changed 100's of lives because of his organ, tissue, and cornea donation.

Jodi Plecity is an entrepreneur and businesswoman who has built several successful businesses. She resides in Fargo, ND where she puts her efforts into “giving back” and making positive, healthy, differences in the lives of others. During the groundbreaking of the future Garden of Healing Jodi met Sarah and Arlin Fisher, the founders of Crosses For Cameron. She shared with them her losses of four children and how she was drawn to them and wanted to leave a legacy and help with the Garden. Two of her angel babies passed away early in the pregnancy and the other two sons, Ernie and Andy were born at 20 and 24 weeks. Through extensive testing, it was determined that Andy had a very rare form of Spinabifida and would possibly  not live outside the womb. She made the choice to be induced and donated his body to the University of Minnesota. After the loss of Andy, Jodi went through a complete life change - losing 150 lbs. and finally understanding what it was like to be healthier and pain-free, there she found the desire and motivation in helping others achieve the same success that she did. Jodi’s heart is going out to all people like her, who just need a hand to reach down and help them stand up and live life again. She sold her one business and reallocated her resources towards starting a non-profit, Peoples Rising Academy. As someone who has experienced such incredible grief and trauma, she is able to use her own healing journey and share it with others in the community to help them heal. She is very honored to be a co-founder and help with the design of the garden as well as connecting it with her own non-profit organization, Peoples Rising Academy and giving people a reason to RISE! 

 Jesse & Jordan Simon called me Mom, as well as all their friends. I am quite proud about that! Both of my young men passed away in three years of each other and both just started on their own life's path. Make your heart-felt decision on how you would like to honor your friend or family member in the Garden of Healing. You may decide on a gesture of love by donating an engraved brick with your loved one’s name and distinction. Perhaps your gift is quite a sizable donation and would be commemorating your beloved with an engraved metal bench, tree, or other structure where visitors may feel the aura of the garden’s center. Your donation, whether large or small, will create the Garden of Healing. It will surely allow guests to come together and celebrate, honor, and remember loved ones who have passed away, donated their organ, tissue, or cornea, and recipients of the gift of life.

 My parents were Myron and Jean Hahn. They married young and had my 3 sisters and me. We were born and raised on a North Dakota farm and loved the prairie as our parents did. In the fall of 2016 and winter of 2017, Mom and Dad left this world too early and within 3 months of each other. It was the longest they had been apart for 56 years. It was heartbreaking to lose both so unexpectedly and so close together. The grief we experienced was commensurate to the love we felt for them. Our parents were both organ donors and believed when they no longer needed their earthly bodies, others could benefit. Knowing part of them continued on through organ donation and research, is a testament to how they both lived their lives. We have learned to speak of them often and share our treasured memories. It keeps them close to our hearts until we meet again. Having a physical place like The Garden of Healing, is good for the body and soul.  My parents were farmers; seeing things grow and bloom, reminds us of their connection to the earth, nature and its cycles of life. I hope this garden also connects others experiencing loss to their loved ones, giving them a physical and spiritual place for their grieving hearts to begin to heal.