In the St. Anthony’s Triathlon in St. Pete this weekend, one Tampa father will be racing not to win, but to honor the legacy of the son he lost, to ensure his memory never fades, and to encourage others to make the same selfless act as his son: become an organ donor.
Shane McCormack passed away two years ago at the age of 20 while training for the St. Anthony’s Triathlon himself. This Sunday, Kevin McCormack will race in his son’s honor, wearing bib #3020, signifying the age Shane would have been when he was supposed to race.
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The tragic loss of the young athlete was difficult to accept, but thanks to Shane being an organ donor, his untimely passing was not in vain: it also meant the gift of life and health for dozens of others. His selfless decision saved five lives through the donation of seven organs – including his heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and pancreas – and enhanced the lives of 36 more through tissue donation.
Kevin will compete this weekend with the goal of encouraging others to follow his son’s heroic lead, and to ensure his legacy lives on forever.
“This isn’t about me,” Kevin said. “It’s about keeping Shane’s memory from being erased – and maybe helping someone say ‘yes’ to being a donor.”
With the help of a Tampa-based organ procurement organization, LifeLink Foundation, doctors were able to transform a young man’s altruistic decision into multiple life-giving opportunities for those in need. As his father competes this weekend, and with each healthy breath taken by the people his organs saved, Shane’s memory will live on. Kevin encourages others to keep that memory, and to follow his lead.
For those following the race, Kevin will wear bib number #3020 in Shane’s honor as he sets out to finish the race his son never got to run. He’ll be running in the Sprint Triathlon starting at 8:30 am on Sunday, April 27.
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