If Kim Morsching had to pick one word to describe her son, Kevin, it would be arête. Kevin fell in love with the Greek word, which translates to “pursuing excellence.” To Kevin, arête wasn’t just a word – it was the mantra for his life.

Kevin pursued excellence in everything he did and constantly pushed himself to the limits. “People loved that about Kevin,” says Kim. “Everyone he met was almost immediately a friend.”

A risk-taker and thrill-seeker, Kevin wasn’t happy unless he was giving one hundred percent. “He hit the ground running and never stopped,” explains Kim. “It’s almost as if he knew his life was going to be short and he wanted to make the very most of his time here.”

His drive and athleticism was showcased on the baseball field as a relief pitcher for the Post 22 American Legion team in Rapid City, South Dakota and the South Dakota State University team in Brookings, South Dakota.

His passion for the sport is shared by his brother, Kirby, less than two years his junior. Kirby now holds the same position once filled by his brother – relief pitcher for the South Dakota State University baseball team.

In August 2007 Kevin was in Brookings shortly before the beginning of his junior year when he was fatally injured in a skateboarding accident. His teammates, friends and family spent countless hours by his side in the intensive care unit praying that his relentless spirit and determination would help him recover from his injury. Although Kevin’s recovery was a tragic impossibility, he answered the prayers of many people who were, at the same time, waiting for a second chance at life.

Kevin died as he lived – giving one hundred percent. Kevin had made the decision to be an organ and tissue donor when he applied for his driver’s license and his generous decision was supported by his family. Kevin’s heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and pancreas saved the lives of six people. Kevin’s gifts of tissue will be used in dozens of life-changing surgeries for years to come.

Kim has written to the recipients of Kevin’s organs, and has received at least one letter in return from each of them. “We shared an amazing thing – a medical miracle,” she says. “It’s kind of like a rebirth for me.”

“Donation was our bright spot. You know all of the good things about your child, and this is their last good thing.”