The Iowa Donor Network is recognizing the extraordinary legacy of 13-year-old Natalie McCleary, a young girl whose organ donations saved six lives after her passing.
Natalie was known for throwing herself wholeheartedly into everything she did. Whether it was schoolwork, activities, or hobbies, she approached each challenge with determination and a quiet drive that made a lasting impression on the people around her. Behind her accomplishments, however, she faced a private struggle with depression, a battle her family says does not define who she was.
Throughout her short life, Natalie showed a deep sense of generosity. She donated her hair twice to organizations that create wigs for children, a reflection of her instinctive desire to help others. When she died, her parents made the decision to donate her organs—an act they believe she would have wanted. Because of that choice, six people received lifesaving transplants, including a young child now living with Natalie’s heart…