Alexander “AJ” Betts was a young man, full of life, and dearly-loved by his entire family. He opted to become an organ donor at the age of 16, when he obtained his driver’s license. Little did his family realize the profound impact of that decision, when AJ took his own life six months later. AJ’s suicide was the end result of years of bullying, because he was gay. 

Though AJ was able to donate his heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver, his family soon realized that he was not allowed to donate his corneas - for no other reason than because he was gay. They learned that a federal law prohibited gay men from donating their corneas, resulting in AJ’s “dying wish” not being honored. This only added insult to injury for his heartbroken family.

Today, they dedicate their lives to educating the public and changing the antiquated laws preventing the gay and bisexual community from being organ and tissue donors.