In September 2012, Jasmine “Nicole” Moore was engaged to be married and only 26 years old when, tragically, her life was cut short in a car Crash. Her family did not know that Nicole had made the choice to be a donor until she died, but according to her mother, Lisa Johnson, they find comfort in her decision.

“To think she had saved touched or enhanced over 230 lives…that’s my child, a hero,” Johnson said. “I love her and I’ll forever be her mom, but I’m also honored and humbled that she’s given me a new job as a donor mom and part of CORE and Donate Life West Virginia. Nicole lives on because she donated organs and tissue to those in need.”

According to Johnson, Nicole loved a challenge. She was a natural leader among her peers and time and time again, helped those in need in her Logan County, West Virginia community. A caregiver at heart, she had hoped to one day become a nurse. Her enduring spirit and sense of caring is alive today because she made the decision to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor.

Although Nicole, as she was known to those close her, stood only five feet tall, she could fill any room with her smile and confidence. According to her mom, Nicole could be a bit mischievous and could eat more than any grown man! She treasured her grandparents, her baby sister, Leah, and animals—especially her misbehaved Beagle, Angel and her three cats Vinnie, Nubbins, & Carmine.

Johnson cherishes the short time she had with her daughter and has made it her mission to keep Nicole’s memory alive by supporting the cause of organ donation in West Virginia and beyond. She is a frequent speaker at organ donation events throughout the state and has partnered with many West Virginia Wendy’s franchises to spread awareness.

Donate Life West Virginia honored Nicole’s lasting gift of life with a floragraph portrait that was featured on Donate Life’s Teammates in Life float in the 2017 Rose Parade®.