Loving child would willingly have given organs

Last week, it was crystal clear where 6-year-old Joel Anthony Suina got his

loving and giving nature.

A shocking April traffic accident with an Albuquerque Police Department cruiser in the Northeast Heights injured Anthony, his sister and mother.

Anthony died after being taken off life support.

Yet, even in a time of all-encompassing grief, his mother had the presence of mind to donate Anthony’s organs.

He saved the lives of a 52-year-old man, a 46-year-old woman, an 11-year-old boy and a 4-month-old boy.

In addition to the life-saving gifts of his heart, liver and kidneys, Anthony’s pancreas and lungs will be used in research and education.

“It’s what he would have wanted,” said his mother, Antoinette Suina.

“He’s so loving and such a giving child that he would have wanted that.”

Hundreds of New Mexicans are among the thousands of people on the national transplant waiting list, according to New Mexico Donor Services.

Registering when you renew your driver’s license or going to http://www.registerme.org means a terrible loss can be softened just a little by giving someone — or several someones — a new chance at life.

And according to his mom, Anthony would want that.

— Albuquerque Journal