Six months ago, Bill Conner’s 20-year-old daughter was found unconscious following a freak accident. Unfortunately, she didn’t survive the accident.
To make something out of the tragedy, Bill decided to allow his daughters organs to be donated, and they now live in 4 men, one of which Bill decided to meet.
Bill was compelled to do something to honor his daughter’s memory after his son and her brother graduated in May. Bill contacted the Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL, the facility where his daughter’s organs were recovered. He let them know that he wanted to ride his bike to meet the people who had received her organs, in her honor.
While Abbey passed, a part of her lived on in Loumonth Jack Jr., who was in sudden need of a heart. The seemingly healthy young man suffered a heart attack and later a damaging infection.
In a combination of great fortune and timing, Abbey’s heart was on the way to Louisiana and Loumonth one day after her death. Abbey was a registered organ donor.
“Seeing my daughter on life support then finding out that they were matches. And four of her organs were ready to be harvested; made it a little bit easier that we were helping someone in need,” Bill said.
Bill says the bike ride serves a two-fold purpose. While he feels a connection with his daughter, he also is touting the importance of organ donations with every person he comes across.
Toward the end of the bike ride fittingly on Father’s Day, Bill arrived in Loumonth’s hometown of Baton Rouge. The two met for the first time since Loumonth received Abbey’s heart.
In an emotional scene, Bill held a stethoscope to Loumonth’s chest and heard his daughter’s heartbeat.
“She saved me and I can’t repay her. I wish I could but I can’t. All I can do is send my love to her family,” Loumonth said.
Bill continued his bike ride to Abbey’s final resting place of Florida.
This is such an incredible story. It has both triumph and loss. It’s truly inspiring.
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