Organ Donation Honoree Surprised by PCH Prize Patrol on “The Talk”

Organ donation proponent Carolyn Glaspy received a big surprise from the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol when she appeared on CBS’ “The Talk” as one of the TV show’s Mother’s Day guests of honor yesterday, May 2nd.

Carolyn is the mother of the late Chris Henry, former wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, who tragically died in a car accident in December 2009.

As she described it on “The Talk”, when Chris was declared brain dead and being kept alive only by artificial means, people at the hospital explained the option of organ donation to her.  Carolyn didn’t know much about it at the time, and had a big decision to make.  She put her head on her son’s body and asked him what to do.  “It felt like his heart was beating into mine … Chris was a giver … and then I knew it would be selfish of me to say no.”

Carolyn chose to donate his vital organs to four recipients, giving them a second chance at life.  Chris was not a registered organ donor, but through making this selfless decision in a time of personal tragedy, his mother made it possible for four people to have more time with their families and loved ones.

Carolyn is now committed to educating others about organ donation, and wants to start her own non-profit organization in memory of her late son.  But, getting a non-profit organization off the ground will require a lot of time and dedication.

Since Chris was her provider, and is no longer with us, Carolyn has been struggling to make ends meet while volunteering to speak to people about her story and raise organ donation awareness whenever she can.

The folks at “The Talk” honored Carolyn, her efforts, and Chris’s memory yesterday, May 2nd. During her appearance, the PCH Prize Patrol surprised Carolyn onstage with balloons, a dozen roses, and a Big Check for $25,000.00 to help make her life, and reaching her goal of launching her foundation, a bit easier.

It was a heartwarming, emotionally-charged scene.  Many of us here at PCH Sweepstakes Headquarters in Port Washington, NY were lucky enough to tune in and watch it live!  Our colleagues, Dave Sayer, Danielle Lam and Todd Sloane, members of the Prize Patrol Elite Team made us proud.  If you missed the episode showing the PCH Prize Patrol on The Talk, you can watch it by clicking here.

Carolyn was so grateful and the folks at “The Talk” offered their thanks to Publishers Clearing House for giving Carolyn a life changing award of $25,000.00 to help make this courageous mom’s dreams about increasing organ donation education and awareness come true.

Sincerely,

Deborah Holland

Executive Vice President

PCH Publishers Clearing House