1 Birthday, 2 Organ Donation Stories: 'This Heart Beats For Two'

NORTH FORK, NY — June 12 would have marked Kaitlyn Doorhy's 26th birthday; the former Mattituck Strawberry Queen died at 20 after being struck by a car in 2014 while away at college.

June 12 is also Ruby June Cotter's first birthday — Ruby received a heart transplant just in time for Christmas.

One birthday, two stories intertwined by the gift of life: When Kaitlyn died, her organs were donated. And Ruby survived, her parents said, because a family they have never met decided to give the ultimate gift when they donated their child's heart.

Darla Doorhy, Kaitlyn's mother, said her daughter's life lives on in four people who were recipients of her organs.

"We heard from all four recipients," Doorhy said. "It's a comfort to know she helped others. When your child enters heaven before you — that's what doesn't make life easy."

At a mass one year after Kaitlyn's death on August 22, 2015, an organ recipient, Karen Paulick, spoke to the congregation at the church and said she'd contacted Darla after Kait's death. She explained that Kaitlyn had told her mother when she was just 16 that she wanted to be an organ donor. When Kaitlyn died, her family followed her wishes to help others.

"Kaitlyn was always a giver," Darla said Friday. "She had two hands — one for herself and one to do for others."

After her death, the not-for-profit organization Kait's Angels was created to share acts of kindness and help families in need.

Normally, her family would have spent Kaitlyn's "birthday in heaven" honoring her memory at Macari Vineyard with the annual "Designer Handbag Wingo" fundraiser for Kait's Angels, Darla said. "But, due to the pandemic it has been canceled. Next year it will be bigger and better," she said.

Speaking with Patch on Friday, Darla noted the beautiful weather: "The sun always shines on our angel's birthday," she said.

The greatest Christmas gift of all

Just before Christmas, Ruby June, who lives in Wading River and was then just six months old, received a life-saving heart transplant.

On June 12, 2019, Ashley and Brian Cotter welcomed their daughter into the world, a GoFundMe page for Ruby said. "The joy they experienced was unknown before that very moment. However, on September 4, 2019, less than three months later, their joy was replaced with fear, horror, and uncertainty. Ruby appeared lethargic and her body temperature was low," the page said.

Upon calling the pediatrician, her terrified parents were told to bring Ruby directly to the emergency room at Stony Brook University Hospital. "By the time they arrived, she was blue," the page said. "Once she was stabilized, she was transported to New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. After days of testing, she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy."

On Friday, Ruby turned a year old, and while plans are in place for a drive-by celebration Saturday, her parents have taken time to reflect on a moment that fills them with endless gratitude.

"Her heart will forever represent the good in humanity"

"Yesterday Ruby wore a shirt that she got as a gift after her heart transplant: 'This heart beats for two,'" Brian Cotter said. " Seeing her in the shirt and knowing her birthday was a day away was very emotional and brought back many feelings and memories, good and bad. Her heart does beat for two. If it wasn’t for her donor and family we might not be able to celebrate her first birthday and because we can, that beautiful, selfless family — who we have never met — will not be able to."

The Cotters have a message for the child's family.

"I cannot imagine being on the opposite side of this. We celebrate Ruby’s birthday but we also know why we can. Her heart will forever represent the the good in humanity. We couldn’t imagine our life without her and we will always be grateful, thankful and full of love," Cotter said.

And, he added: "We hope to one day meet that family. We hope to hug them, love them, cry with them, thank them and let them listen to Ruby’s heart and know that their tragic loss was not for nothing. I know that won’t take away the pain but maybe for a second — they will feel full."

For information on organ donation go to LongLiveNY.org or the Donate Life registry.