Keith Algreen was 11 years old and had just started the sixth grade in the fall of 1986. He was not a big guy, “…four foot eight and weighed all of 80 pounds wet,” says his mother, Marilyn. He was making plans to invite his friend, Jodi, to dance with him at the school’s fall celebration, and planned to tell her it was because he was the shortest in the class and she was the tallest.
Keith’s junior high youth group was planning a fundraiser to help a young child named Michael who needed a liver transplant. Marilyn says at one point, Keith, with seriousness in his eyes and a kind of half grin, commented, “Gee Mom, if anything happens to me, he could sure have my liver.”
Marilyn says looking back now, she knows God must have been preparing her for what lay ahead.
Making the decision
At 2:30 p.m. on October 15, 1986, Keith was helping his father with the first full day of the harvest at their farm in Earlham when he fell into a gravity flow wagon of corn. Keith was rushed to Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, but by the next morning, the doctor had informed the family that it was time to say goodbye.
“I remember making the decision to donate Keith’s organs,” Marilyn says. “I was reminded about Keith’s words about Michael… I kept trying to tell myself that this is Keith's chance to save and touch many lives, to see new and beautiful things, to do things he would never be able to do.”
Marilyn says she learned two women had their sight restored after Keith’s corneas were transplanted, two children received Keith’s heart valves, and a 32-year-old man who received one of Keith’s kidneys had been on dialysis for five years beforehand.
“I can only imagine what it might have been like for him to have a more normal life,” Marilyn says. “If Keith could look down from heaven and realize how much he helped these individuals… wow!”
Easing the pain
Marilyn says over the years, her loved ones have been very proud of their decision to donate Keith’s eyes, organs and tissues.
“It did ease the pain,” Marilyn says. “Many of our family members and friends have since marked “yes” on their driver’s license to donate their eyes, organs, and tissues. It is such a simple act, and yet it holds the power to save and heal dozens of lives.”
Marilyn says she knows some people think they have already been through too much when a loved one dies, and don’t consider just how many lives eye, organ and tissue donation could help.
“We pray that others realize the profound impact being a donor has on the recipient and their family, as well as the donor’s family,” Marilyn says. “That choice continues to ease the life-shattering pain our family experienced that sunny autumn day.”
Marilyn also says it was easier making the decision to donate because she knew Keith’s wishes ahead of time.
“We couldn’t bring him back… so, why not give that gift of life?” she says.
Coming full circle
After Keith’s death, Marilyn gave birth to her daughter, who today works at Iowa Lions Eye Bank as recovery services lead.
“I am very proud of our daughter, Kailynn Gilbert, who chose to work in this field of giving the gift of sight and supporting donor families through their darkest hours,” Marilyn says. “Keith lives on in many ways.”
Kailynn says even though she wasn’t born when her brother passed away, his story has “shaped every part of who I am.”
“I grew up knowing he was a hero, an 11-year-old boy who gave the gift of life and sight to others,” Kailynn says. “His selflessness, and the love my family has for him, inspired me to pursue a career that truly matters.”
Kailynn says today, she has the honor of leading, training, and supporting the recovery technicians who respond to donor cases across the state.
“We approach every case with deep compassion, love, respect, and honor, recognizing the person, family, and legacy behind each gift,” Kailynn says. “Keith is my why. He’s the reason I show up with my whole heart. With every recovery, his legacy lives on. I’m grateful to be part of honoring those donors and ensuring their final gift is treated with the care and dignity it deserves."