Our history
I am a Mother who is living through every parent’s worst nightmare. On November 13, 2016, my world was shattered into pieces after discovering my son, Tristen, had a tragic fall and was declared brain dead.
He was only 21-years-young. When we arrived at Northwestern Hospital, we were brought into the “quiet room” and told that there was nothing more they could do.
Some people say “let them go in peace,” but we knew we had to honor Tristen and allow him to donate his organs to “Save & Change Lives.” That’s when Tristen really became a true Hero.
Tristen’s story doesn’t end here; his organs were given to save the lives of people who had been waiting for life saving and changing transplants. His heroism is what inspired me to create The Tristen Scott Foundation NFP.
Our family experienced first hand that there is not enough being done for the families of the donor, who gave whole-heartedly to help Save & Change others’ lives by allowing their loved one to live on through strangers. Imagine relying on the kindness of strangers to save your life!
As the Mother of a hero, my mission is to bring awareness to the importance of being an organ donor and to not forget the heroes’ families, who are left with nothing but memories.
We are grateful we have the comfort knowing a part of Tristen is living on through someone else. It has brought some peace to a horrible situation.
Being a donor isn’t just checking a box at the DMV. When I did that with my son, I never thought we would actually ever be brought into the “quiet room” to talk about making real decisions about “Saving and Changing Lives” of strangers. Tristen’s story is living on. Please help support our foundation so we can help those families, just like ours. After all, the families who selflessly decided to share their Hero’s with others should not be forgotten.
Thank you for supporting our cause.
With Sincere gratitude,
Cindy Lee Abitua
On Behalf of the Tristen Scott foundation, we wanted to update you on the progress since starting in February 2017.
Our first fundraiser was May 27th, we raised $18,000! It was possible because of the contributions of generous people like you.
Many people don’t realize that organs need to recover from the trauma prior to the transplant from organ donor to recipient. It can take days. The Gift of Hope gives organ donor families a memory box at the hospital while they wait. The Tristen Scott Foundation placed a handkerchief in every memory box to wipe the tears that never dry.
Our grant process has been in place assisting those families who do not have the financial ability for burial or cremation of their hero who donated their organs.
During our fundraiser, we also had five people sign up to be organ donors with the help of the volunteers from the Gift of Hope. Bringing awareness of being an organ donor is very important to our foundation. Not just for all the people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and a second chance at life, but also for the legacy of the hero who is giving them that second chance.
He was only 21-years-young. When we arrived at Northwestern Hospital, we were brought into the “quiet room” and told that there was nothing more they could do.
Some people say “let them go in peace,” but we knew we had to honor Tristen and allow him to donate his organs to “Save & Change Lives.” That’s when Tristen really became a true Hero.
Tristen’s story doesn’t end here; his organs were given to save the lives of people who had been waiting for life saving and changing transplants. His heroism is what inspired me to create The Tristen Scott Foundation NFP.
Our family experienced first hand that there is not enough being done for the families of the donor, who gave whole-heartedly to help Save & Change others’ lives by allowing their loved one to live on through strangers. Imagine relying on the kindness of strangers to save your life!
As the Mother of a hero, my mission is to bring awareness to the importance of being an organ donor and to not forget the heroes’ families, who are left with nothing but memories.
We are grateful we have the comfort knowing a part of Tristen is living on through someone else. It has brought some peace to a horrible situation.
Being a donor isn’t just checking a box at the DMV. When I did that with my son, I never thought we would actually ever be brought into the “quiet room” to talk about making real decisions about “Saving and Changing Lives” of strangers. Tristen’s story is living on. Please help support our foundation so we can help those families, just like ours. After all, the families who selflessly decided to share their Hero’s with others should not be forgotten.
Thank you for supporting our cause.
With Sincere gratitude,
Cindy Lee Abitua
On Behalf of the Tristen Scott foundation, we wanted to update you on the progress since starting in February 2017.
Our first fundraiser was May 27th, we raised $18,000! It was possible because of the contributions of generous people like you.
Many people don’t realize that organs need to recover from the trauma prior to the transplant from organ donor to recipient. It can take days. The Gift of Hope gives organ donor families a memory box at the hospital while they wait. The Tristen Scott Foundation placed a handkerchief in every memory box to wipe the tears that never dry.
Our grant process has been in place assisting those families who do not have the financial ability for burial or cremation of their hero who donated their organs.
During our fundraiser, we also had five people sign up to be organ donors with the help of the volunteers from the Gift of Hope. Bringing awareness of being an organ donor is very important to our foundation. Not just for all the people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and a second chance at life, but also for the legacy of the hero who is giving them that second chance.