A final act of kindness: Oregon family grieves loss of daughter choosing to donate organs after deadly overdose : ‘She’s a hero’
A young woman with a lot of promise, lost her life after a drug overdose involving fentanyl she wasn’t aware was in the mix.
PORTLAND, Oregon — Brooke Graham Carver was almost 25-years-old, when she overdosed last week. Now, her family is facing a loss no parent can fathom.
“This is not something we’re supposed to do, you know we’re not supposed to do this; this is not something we’re supposed to do as parents. It’s supposed to be the other way around,” said Ronda Graham Carver through her tears.
Ronda said her daughter Brooke relapsed a week ago, with a drug that was laced with fentanyl, causing an overdose from which she could not recover.
Brooke had almost a year clean and was doing so good, she’d started her college classes again.
Family and friends said Brooke was always a giver — a kind, caring and compassionate person from early on in life. As a student at Gresham High School and at Parkrose High School, she did it all.
“She was on the speech and debate team, youth advisory council, she was on the swim team, the wrestling team and the soccer team — Brooke wanted to be involved in everything,” said Ronda.
Brooke served on the Gresham Youth Advisory Council a program that connects schools and community. Brooke was a bright light, now faded.
Oregon State Representative Ricki Ruiz, who Brooke interned with wrote on his Facebook page that Brooke’s kindness, leadership, and vision inspired everyone. Ruiz adding, “Brooke’s life was taken too soon due to the devastating impact of fentanyl, a tragedy that has shaken all who knew her.”
Brooke chose to be an organ donor. She received an “honor walk” at Portland Adventist Hospital, as she was wheeled on life support down the hallway on her way to Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital— to give the gift of her life to others.
“She registered herself, her organs, eyes, tissue and everything,” said Ronda of her daughter while fighting back tears. “And so, for all the people to honor her that way it was amazing.”
Brooke’s final act of kindness drew crowded hallways, reflecting the deep loss felt by many — especially her parents, younger brother and close family.
“I’m not sure how I’m doing — but Brooke — to send her off this way, she’s a hero. That’s all I’ve got to say — she’s a hero to save some people’s lives,” said Brooke’s father Doug.
Brooke’s family said mental health challenges led to self-medicate, but she had been sober for nearly a year. They said she was not aware that the cocaine she used when she relapsed was laced with fentanyl. They also want to know who gave or sold her the tainted drugs — but for now, they are focused on dealing with her death.
A GoFundMe is in place to help the family take the time they need, to deal with a sudden tragedy caused by the fentanyl epidemic.
“There’s no way you can say goodbye,” said a tearful Ronda. “I mean — I’m going to be talking to her every single day because how can I not talk to her. I don’t like to think of it as goodbye, it’s just bye for now.”
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