Walking in Love and Remembrance: Meet Team S.A.M. at the Donate Life Family Fun Run
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- 8 min read
Sam Crowthers, who was born on August 9, 2000, loved playing sports, including baseball, swimming and simply just playing with his friends outside. He frequently attended Tampa Bay Rays games with his family, fueling his love for baseball. Sam was known for his big personality and great sense of humor, always putting others first. He had a special ability of making others feel welcome and wanted.
When he was one and a half years old, Sam’s mom, Leigh, was diagnosed with cancer. Sam grew up quicker than most kids as he and his dad, Dave, watched Leigh fight for her life. Despite the difficulties at home, Sam continued to pursue his love for sports, especially baseball, by joining a travel league at a young age. His parents rarely missed a game and loved cheering Sam on.
Unfortunately, Leigh passed away when Sam was only 11 years old. A month after she died, Sam played in a baseball tournament even though he just lost his mom. For him, it was important to show up for his teammates, and he wanted to play in Leigh’s honor. Turns out, Sam pitched one of his best games that day. After learning about Sam’s heartbreaking loss, the opposing coach was so moved that he called all parents and players to the pitching mound, where he told the story about Sam’s strength, character and love for his mom.
Throughout his teen years and into early adulthood, Sam stayed true to who he was and his hard work and dedication set him up for success as a retail manager.
Sam’s Decision to Register to Be a Donor: Saving Lives Through Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation
On July 12, 2024, Sam’s father, Dave received a call that would change his life forever. Sam and his dog, Kilo, were tragically struck by a car. Kilo unfortunately died at the scene, and Sam, suffering from a traumatic brain injury, was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital. While Sam was in the hospital, Dave called friends and family to share the news about Sam’s accident. Loved ones visited Sam, hoping his condition would improve. After some time, it was clear Sam’s injuries were irreversible.
Earlier in the hospital stay when Sam wasn’t showing signs of recovering, Dave stepped outside the hospital to have a moment alone. He was in a peaceful garden where a Donate Life flag ceremony had taken place the day prior. In the corner of his eye, he could see the roundabout at the front of the hospital, where he reflected on a memory of Sam when he was just born. Dave had parked in that roundabout to pick Sam and Leigh up from the hospital and take him home. He remembered helping Leigh get into the car and putting Sam in a car seat for the first time. They were so excited to start their next journey as new parents. As Dave was reflecting on his first few days with baby Sam, he received the call that sadly Sam’s time of death was announced.
After Sam passed away, Dave met with LifeLink, the organ procurement organization (OPO) in Tampa. The LifeLink representative told Dave that Sam had registered as an organ, eye and tissue donor when he renewed his driver’s license earlier that year. Dave was extremely proud of Sam for signing up to be an organ donor and was happy to work with LifeLink to honor his decision.
LifeLink organized an honor walk for Sam to celebrate his decision to save and heal others through organ, eye and tissue donation. So many friends and family members attended his honor walk. Coincidentally, Sam died on July 14, 2024, at 23 years old, the same day as his mom’s birthday. Dave remembers thinking “Leigh was calling her son home.”
“As a parent, when you look back at your child’s life, all you have are memories. Tangible things are fantastic, but once they are gone, all you have left is their memory. Make as many memories as you can.”
-Dave Crowthers
Sam’s Gifts of Life: Writing to Recipients
Sam was able to donate most of his major organs, including his heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. In addition to being an organ donor, Sam healed an estimated 81 lives through tissue donation and gave sight through eye donation to a man in the Tampa area who had not seen his family or friends for over 10 years. Dave wrote a letter to all of Sam’s organ recipients, hoping to hear back. He remembers checking his mailbox every day, excited about the possibility of receiving a letter back.
One day, Dave received a letter from Stacy Nygaard, Sam’s right lung recipient, who lives in Delaware. She was extremely grateful for her gift of life and shared that she originally needed a double lung transplant. Because Sam’s right lung was healthy and strong, her medical team advised her to move forward with just the right lung transplant.
Stacy says: “The gift of life I received from my hero organ donor, Sam, has changed my life. I went from just existing to living again. Mentally and physically, I feel like a new person. I want to go out and do things. Before my transplant, it was a big effort just trying to go to the store.”
In addition to communicating with Stacy, Dave also heard back from Sam’s heart recipient and youngest tissue recipient, whom he is looking forward to meeting at the end of the summer. She is a competitive athlete who shares a love for the same sports Sam enjoyed. After Dave learned this, it brought up a lot of memories of Sam, including all his firsts. His first time skiing, riding a bike, surfing, etc.
Dave encourages other donor families to have the courage to write to their loved one’s recipients. Even if you don’t hear back, you get a chance to tell your loved one’s story, and he says that is healing.
“When you are ready, write your loved one’s recipients and tell your loved one’s story. You may not hear back from recipients, but it truly is an uplifting moment if you get a response back.”
Meeting Stacy and Honoring Sam at the Donate Life Family Fun Run
Dave and Stacy continued communicating and decided to meet in person. LifeLink and Infinite Legacy partnered together to arrange for Dave and Stacy to meet at Infinite Legacy’s Baltimore office in September 2025. Dave remembered feeling nervous, but as soon as he saw Stacy, he ran over and gave her a big hug.
“Meeting Stacy was a full circle moment. From losing a child to grieving and then to meeting Stacy and her family. Being able to listen to Sam’s lung was remarkable and something I will always cherish.” -Dave
Stacy had previously mentioned that she would be attending the 2025 Donate Life Family Fun Run to honor Sam and the gift of life he gave her. Without hesitation, Dave and his loved ones agreed to join, knowing that Sam would have done the same for anyone he loved.
“When I met Dave and his family, I had lots of emotions. I was grateful, happy and nervous. But I also felt guilt and sadness for the loss of a wonderful young man named Sam. I'm blessed with Sam's gift with every breath I take. - Stacy
Team S.A.M. was created and went on to become the top fundraising team at the 2025 Donate Life Family Fun Run. Dave was also the top individual fundraiser. He received plaques for both accomplishments and keeps them in his home to honor Sam. The Donate Life Family Fun Run has become a special event for Dave. He loves connecting with other donor families, recipients and having moments of silence to honor organ, eye and tissue donors. Team S.A.M. stands for:
Strength: Donor families and transplant recipients carry strength through their journeys of grief and healing.
Awareness: Organ, eye and tissue donation awareness is essential in helping save lives through transplantation.
Miracles: To give life after a life is lost is truly a miracle.
Dave got to walk side by side with Stacy at the Donate Life Family Fun Run to honor Sam and his legacy. Dave and Stacy remain in touch and have become family.
“My most cherished moment was walking in the last Donate Life Family Fun Run. I was able to participate and walk the 5K with Dave, my donor family and my family. I cannot describe how awesome that felt. I also adopted a puppy last July, now that I’m able to live life again.” - Stacy
It's not too late. Register for the Fun Run on April 4, 2026!
Dave’s Favorite Memories of Sam: Kilo, Cars and Fitness
Sam and his girlfriend, Rebecca, adopted Kilo, a friendly Doberman who quickly became a beloved member of their family. Sam grew up with dogs and was best friends with his childhood dog, Louie. Sam was so excited to have a dog again, and Dave remembers
seeing the joy in Sam’s smile after Kilo was adopted. Sam and Kilo would often go on peaceful walks along the river in Tampa.
In his last few years, Sam excelled professionally and was excited to purchase a Dodge Charger Scat Pack, a sleek car that embodied his personality. Dave was happy to go with Sam to the dealership and was proud of Sam for working hard. Sam kept his car in perfect shape, cleaning it weekly. He loved high speeds, burnouts and his loud muffler. Dave drives Sam’s car today in his honor and keeps it in perfect condition. He often feels Sam’s spirit with him when he drives.
Dave also carries Sam’s memory with him when he goes to the gym. Sam loved working out and focusing on his health. He taught Dave everything he needed to know about wellness. Sam held Dave accountable, making sure his dad stayed healthy. Dave continues going to the gym to honor that shared commitment they had.
Honoring Sam Through Donate Life Rock Painting
While on social media, Dave came across a Facebook group called Donate Life Rock Painting. This Facebook group is dedicated to raising awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation by creating rocks that people place all around the world to honor donor heroes. Donor families will create the rock and place it in a zip-lock bag with a piece of paper that includes their loved one’s story and the rules for the finder.
Whoever finds the rocks is encouraged to bring the rock to a different location that would be meaningful to the donor. Dave began creating Donate Life rocks in Sam’s honor, and it’s a way for him to see Sam’s legacy travel the world. After finding one of Sam’s rocks, a man reached out to Dave and said he came across Sam’s story at a time when he needed it most. To keep track of Sam’s rocks, Dave has created a map to track where they have been found.
Fun Fact: Sam’s rocks have been found in Thailand, Belize, Mount Hood, the Oregon Coast, a peaceful river in Idaho, under a magnolia tree in a TV show that takes place in Georgia and many other places!
Dave’s Involvement in the Donate Life Community: Advice to Donor Parents
After seeing how impactful organ, eye and tissue donation is, Dave has become a Donate Life Ambassador to honor Sam’s legacy. He realized how important community is during grief and the importance of connecting with others impacted by donation and
transplantation. Dave is currently on a mission to create a 5K to honor organ, eye and tissue donors in Tampa.
“Get involved with your local OPO when you are ready. It took me a long time to get out of a grief state, but once I did, I realized how important that community was. I have become a Donate Life Ambassador and have spoken at a few engagements thus far. It’s very hard at first, but it’s also a way to honor your loved one.” -Dave Crowthers
Save Lives Like Sam: Register as an Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor
If there is one thing Dave wants others to take from Sam’s story, it is that registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor is truly remarkable. You have the power to save and heal lives. Dave is a proud donor dad who will continue to share Sam’s story, raise awareness and inspire others to register.
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