Charles Jenkinson’s Legacy Lives on Through Organ Donation
- Infinite Legacy
- Jul 9
- 5 min read
Charles Jenkinson was known for being a good kid throughout his childhood. Charles never asked for much growing up, but when he was 10 years old, he asked his mother Jeannette for a bicycle. Jeannette happily obliged and got Charles a bicycle that he quickly fell in love with. Like most kids, he endured a few cuts and bruises along the way but continued to love riding his bike.
He was a young man of many interests and what began as a childhood love for bicycles soon evolved into a deep passion for motorcycles. Charles also loved fishing and being on the water. When he was 16, a new chapter began when Jeannette’s husband Bill entered Charles’ life. Charles and Bill grew to have a strong bond and cared for one another deeply.
As Charles got older, he grew into a fine young man. He graduated from Chesapeake High School in Essex, Maryland in 1989 and then became an Operating Engineer with Local #27, running tower cranes. At one point he worked on the tallest tower crane in Maryland that overlooked I-95. He would often call Jeannette and say, “Hey mom, I can see you driving down I-95 on your way to work!” He always knew how to make his mom laugh.
Giving the Gift of Life: Registering to be an Organ Donor
Charles was known by family and friends as the life of the party and for his humor. Friends referred to him as “Chuck” or Chucky” but to Jeannette and his family, he will always be Charles. He was the one who was always leading line dances at weddings and just enjoyed having a good time. He even swam with sharks on a family trip to Costa Rica. One of Jeannette’s favorite memories of Charles was when they sang karaoke together on his 21st birthday. She remembers always laughing and having a fun time with him.
On May 24, 2005, at the age of 34, Charles was tragically hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. He was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma where doctors did everything they could to save his life. Unfortunately, Charles didn't survive his injuries and Jeannette met with Infinite Legacy, who informed her about his personal decision to be an organ donor. The news came as a shock. Jeannette had no idea that years earlier, Charles had made the quiet, selfless decision to register to be an organ donor.
The initial shock was quickly replaced with a warm feeling of being a proud mom. She was extremely grateful her son wanted to give others the gift of life. Charles donated his liver, both kidneys, corneas and heart valves, saving and healing the lives of so many. Jeannette will always be proud of Charles’ decision.
Did You Know? One person can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and save or heal more than 75 lives through tissue donation.
The Impact of Organ Donation: Discovering Charles’ Liver Recipient
About a month after her son’s passing, Jeannette received a letter from the liver recipient’s husband. The liver recipient was a 54-year-old woman who lived on the East Coast and was saved by Charles’ gift of life. Jeannette was also informed two young men received Charles’ kidneys.
In August 2008, Jeannette decided to attend her 40th Class Reunion at Kenwood High School. She was originally hesitant about going, but decided it would be nice to see her former classmates. It was there that she reunited with Linda and Bob Bopp, friends from high school who had gone on to get married.
Jeannette said it was like no time had gone by. She and Linda immediately picked up where they left off years ago. The two had played sports together in high school, including field hockey and softball. At the reunion dinner they chatted more and exchanged phone numbers to stay in touch. It turned out that Linda and Bob only live 20 minutes away from Jeannette, just over the Delaware line.
Linda and Jeannette were invited to attend a friend’s daughter’s wedding in January 2009. They were excited to see each other again because of how much fun they had at their high school reunion. Since it was a black-tie wedding, Linda called Jeannette to see what she was going to wear. Jeannette let her know she was going to wear a formal dress. It was then that Linda mentioned she had been struggling to fit in her dresses since her transplant. Jeannette was intrigued and began asking questions as she immediately thought about Charles. Their conversation followed like this:
Jeannette: “What kind of organ transplant did you have?”
Linda: “I had a liver transplant in 2005.”
Jeannette: “When in 2005?”
Linda: “May 25 or 26 I think, why?”
Jeannette: “My son died on May 24 at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma and he donated his liver and both kidneys.”
Linda: “I know it was a Tuesday because I couldn’t reach Bob after my doctor called saying they had an organ available because Bob plays golf on Tuesday. I left messages all over and he finally got them and took me to Johns Hopkins at 4 p.m.”
Jeannette: “Linda, May 24 was a Tuesday. Charles died at 6:22 p.m. a motorcycle accident.”
Linda: “That would be about right, because my doctor wasn’t at Hopkins when we arrived. He was at the University of Maryland recovering the organ. My God, do you think….”
The coincidences were endless! As it turned out, Linda, who Jeannette had been good friends with in high school and to this day was the 54-year-old woman on the East Coast who had received Charles’ liver. Linda’s husband Bob was the one that sent Jeannette a heartfelt letter thanking her son for his generosity and selfless decision to be an organ donor.
In a small world of chance and fate, all these years after high school Jeannette and Linda would always be connected through Charles and his beautiful gift of organ donation.
“His generous donation changed my life. Prior to my transplant I couldn’t walk up one flight of steps without getting out of breath. After the transplant I can climb several flights of steps. I go to the YMCA every day for water aerobics, and I can run and play with my dog. Due to the generosity of a friend’s son, I can walk, shop, dance and enjoy life again.”
-Linda
Honoring Charles at Infinite Legacy’s Annual Donate Life Fun Run
In 2012, Jeannette’s niece discovered Infinite Legacy’s Donate Life Fun Run, an event where people walk or run to honor the legacy of donor heroes and transplant recipients. In many cases, teams consist of members who have been significantly impacted by organ donation. That year, Jeannette and her family signed up as a team to honor Charles. Since then, they have attended every Family Fun Run…for 13 years and counting.
Fun Fact: At one point Charles’ team came in third place for being the largest Fun Run team!
Jeannette continues to spread the word about the Donate Life Fun Run and participate. She likes everything about the Fun Run, including the activities for kids, watching her nieces dance in the Zumba warm up and the fun t-shirt designs she gets to wear to celebrate Charles.
Jeannette continues to remember her son’s life and legacy by honoring him in small ways every day. She keeps pictures of Charles up throughout her home and makes sure to include him in conversations. Jeannette even has family gatherings and created a Memorial Quilt in Charles’ honor. To this day, she proudly sports a Donate Life license plate on her car to support organ donation.
Charles’ legacy continues to touch lives. His selfless decision to be an organ donor sparked the conversation about registering to be an organ donor for everyone in his family. Because of Charles, many family members now proudly have the red heart on their drivers’ licenses.
“It’s a small world and you never know how your choices in life will affect someone else’s.”
-Jeannette
Register to Save Lives: Learn More About Organ Donation
Like Charles, you can make a powerful decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. You can register at your local motor vehicle office or online through Infinite Legacy. We encourage everyone to learn more about organ donation and get the facts. Register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor today!