Jody Miller’s daughter, Heather, was 21 when her life was cut tragically short in 2008. She was the victim of a drunk driving crash.

Jody was not surprised to learn that Heather had designated herself as an organ donor. Heather was just six weeks away from graduating from the West Virginia School of Nursing. Her passion was to work in critical care in the intensive care unit.

Each year since Heather’s death, Jody and her family have found ways to honor Heather’s life. The family held a special ceremony in 2015 at Ohio Valley Medical Center, where they dedicated the room in which Heather stayed in the ICU.

The Millers also host a golf scramble in Heather’s memory. With the money raised from the annual event, Jody is able to award Heather Miller Memorial Scholarships for nursing students at West Virginia University, in addition to several local high school scholarships—more than 50 in total so far.

“Our daughter has brought so much joy and honor to her family, even in her passing,” Jody says. “Our healing process is a continual stepping stone. For the gift of life she has given to others, and for the many gifts she has given to us, she will always be our hero.”