Avon Woman Running For Organ Donation After Late Mother's Gift Saved Lives

AVON, CT — Avon resident Heather Harris will run seven miles on a Connecticut rail trail Saturday, Aug. 15, as part of the virtual Falmouth Road Race, raising money and awareness for organ and tissue donation.

Harris is participating with Team New England Donor Services, or NEDS, an organization focused on organ and tissue donation.

Her connection to the cause is personal. Harris' mother became an organ donor and saved multiple lives through her donations, according to information provided by NEDS.

The experience also helped shape Harris' career. She spent a decade working as a registered respiratory therapist and emergency medical technician, roles in which she worked closely with organ donors and transplant recipients.

Harris joined NEDS in 2017 and now works as a hospital performance strategist for the organization, continuing her advocacy for organ and tissue donation.

Rather than running the Falmouth Road Race course in Massachusetts, Harris plans to complete the seven-mile distance locally in Connecticut as a virtual participant, one day before the actual road race.

NEDS said Harris is using the run to raise awareness and funds for organ and tissue donation.

For more information and to donate, click on this link.