Gyla Adamson

Delayne was a beautiful, giving person. She had a smile that was contagious and was involved in every sport and activity at Osborn High School. In fact, the year she decided to become an organ donor, she decided to promote it at school to encourage her peers to become organ donors. No one would have thought that during her senior year on Homecoming afternoon, a tragic, senseless car accident would take her life. “Because she was passionate about organ and tissue donation and because of the kind and giving person Delayne was, it was an easy decision for me,” says Gyla, Delayne’s mother. “Delayne would have wanted her last gift to the world to be to improve and save the lives of others.” As she struggled to cope with the loss of her only child, Gyla had felt a nagging desire to meet Delayne’s heart recipient. “She had the biggest heart in the world,” says Gyla. “I just wanted to let the recipient know what a good heart they got.” Gyla was able to meet the heart recipient, Keith Dankenbring and developed a friendship. Keith and Gyla recently rode their Harleys to Red River, New Mexico together to celebrate life. “The minute we got off of our bikes, we sat and cried,” says Gyla. “Keith’s illness had prevented him from his passion of riding for many years, and here we were on this remarkable journey together.” Gyla and Keith talk frequently, and both remain advocates for organ donation.