Katrina Erskin has a story to tell, one that still gives her goosebumps 22 years later.
It’s the tale of a teenage mother and her 5-week-old son Jaleel, and how his heartbreaking death saved the lives of two other infants: A 2-month-old boy kept alive by his heart and an 11-month-old girl given a reprieve by his implanted liver.
The Long Island woman will share her amazing journey of strength and hope Saturday inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the 25th “Remember and Rejoice” service, honoring donors and recipients in the nation’s largest event of its kind — back live in Manhattan after two years lost to COVID-19.
“I’m excited, honored,” said Erskin, 40, of Valley Stream, L.I. “I feel amazing to be able to share this moment with everyone there. Normally I don’t write it down — and usually it comes from the heart…I didn’t even now how much impact my little son’s story could change someone’s mindset.”
The event, sponsored by the Manhattan Chapter of Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) with the support of LiveOnNY, will bring both joy and tears as the speakers share stories about the gift of life provided by donors while encouraging others to join their ranks.
Erskin will be joined by several other speakers, including Art Shamsky of the World Champion 1969 New York Mets — speaking on behalf of beloved teammate and kidney recipient Ed Kranepool.
“It’s incredible that he’s alive and well today due to some incredible people from New York,” Shamsky said. “I’m kind of standing in for him. It’s basically a day for remembrance and rejoicing. I’ll speak about our friendship, what he’s gone through, and how thankful he is.”
Leonard Achan, president and CEO of LiveOnNY, said the event should also help refocus people on the need for eye and tissue donation and celebrate their connection with those who receive the gift of life.
“The families gathered in St. Patrick’s tell a New York story of resilience and grit and compassion,” he said. “I think it’s emblematic of everything we’ve gone through in the last two years.”
Speaker Eduardo Gonzalez, 27, was heading into his sophomore year of college when his eyesight started to fail. He recalled a doctor’s visit where the giant “E” on an eye chart was unreadable, eventually leading to a double cornea implant that restored his sight.
“I think at the time I didn’t understand how many people came together to make this possible,” he said. “I couldn’t be more thankful now. They really made it effortless.”
Gonzalez, attending for the first time, said he wants to ensure his message resonates about the importance of organ donors on both his life and the world in general.
“Nothing could ever repay the family of donors for giving me the gift of sight,” he explained. “I want to get that message across to everybody.”
Brian Thompson, 60, explained in detail how his insular world expanded exponentially after surgery to receive two new lungs just 14 months ago. Before the transplants, he was “100% disabled.” And last week, he was busy writing up a letter that he plans to read inside the cathedral.
“I’m excited, I’m incredulous,” he said. “A lapsed Irish-Catholic in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This has totally transformed my life, it’s given me a new life.”
