A Mission to Save and Heal Lives

Anya's Story

Full of life and laughter, Anyachiemeka (Anya) was a beautiful baby who brought joy to her family. On December 1, 2007, there was an electrical fire at the house where the children were being watched by babysitters. The fire claimed the lives of Anya's two older sisters (Imose 6 years old and Chikaora 2 years old) and eventually her own. It was the joy and peace that she gave to her family that made the decision to donate an easy one. "Another family needed what Anya had so they could experience the joy we had," said her mother, Roschelle Ogbuji.

It usually takes people a lifetime to figure out their purpose and to fulfill it. Baby Anya, as she was affectionately called, achieved hers in only 14 months. Anyachiemeka was an amazing surprise for her parents because she followed her older sister by only 11 months. Full of life and laughter, she was a beautiful baby who brought joy to her family. Anya had an easygoing personality and disposition.

On December 1, 2007 while her parents were out to a movie with family, there was an electrical fire at the house where the children were being watched by two babysitters. The fire claimed the lives of Anya's two older sisters (Imose, 6 years old and Chikaora, 2 years old) and eventually her own. It was the joy and peace that she gave to her family that made the decision to donate an easy one.

"Another family needed what Anya had so they could experience the joy we had," said her mother, Roschelle Ogbuji. "Anya was born to bring life to our family and when she died, she brought life to another. Even though the circumstance was tragic, losing three children in one night, the saving grace was the gift of donation. Literally, beauty, life, and hope came from the ashes of our burned house. What I know for sure from this experience, is that Anya was called by God with a purpose to give life to others and my calling from God, was to deliver the message of donate life.

Roschelle explained that everyone has a calling: “Our real job in life is to figure out what that is and do it. I had a choice to live or to die on the inside. I chose life! Anya's life tells a story that can bring about change. In every way and every day, I show people exactly how I am healing. I share our story and acknowledge that Anya's dying was not in vain. No life is too short to impact change!"

You have the power to save lives by becoming a registered organ and tissue donor right now or by saying "yes" when renewing your driver license or state ID at the BMV.