Donor Registry“Julia’s Gift” keeps legacy of tissue donor alive
Community outreach project fulfills destiny of 17-year-old's desire to help others
Julia Mosele’s destiny in this world is to help others. In 2002, Julia, at age 17, was tragically killed in a car accident. Her family knew she would want to be a tissue and eye donor. Consequently, the lives of 26 people across the country were saved or enhanced through her gifts.
In collaboration with LifeGift, Beth and Tom Mosele created “Julia’s Gift” – a community awareness program about organ and tissue donation. Through “Julia’s Gift,” Julia’s legacy continues to reach people and encourage them to register as organ and tissue donors.
Beth worked closely with LifeGift to create a poster that dramatically shows the impact of Julia’s gifts. Julia, a talented artist, would have been proud of the tiny doves that pinpoint the locations of her recipients across the United States. Displayed in hospitals throughout Houston, Lubbock, Amarillo and Fort Worth, the posters serve as reminders of what it means to be an organ and tissue donor.
Julia’s story is shared by her mother through media outlets – TV, radio and newspapers. One of the key messages Beth emphasizes is the importance of talking to your family about the decision to donate.
Back in the mid-1980s when Beth started her career as a medical social worker, she began to learn about transplantation. She and her husband, Tom, had lengthy discussions about donation. As their children grew older, they were included in these conversations about organ donation and how it helps others.
“We decided as a family that if the tragic circumstances presented themselves, we would be organ and tissue donors,” Beth said. “Having that conversation was so important because when Julia died, we automatically knew what decision to make.”
Beth’s passion for donation expands beyond her personal experience with her daughter. In her professional life, she is a heart transplant social worker for The Methodist Hospital in Houston, where she works with recipients and their family members.
“We are well on our way to making ‘Julia’s Gift’ a reality,” said Beth. “This project works toward fulfilling Julia’s dreams – helping others – in more ways than she could ever imagine.”
For more information about “Julia’s Gift,” visit www.juliamosele.com.
