Big heart in Pittsburgh donates kidney and liver to save two people

Thirty-one-year-old Antwon Rice Sr. of Homewood was Yolanda White’s youngest son. He had a contagious laugh and a big heart, with endless love for friends, family and animals, along with his nine children.

While Antwon had never so much as broken a bone or needed any type of surgery, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time on April 22, 2020. He was shot twice in the head and didn’t survive. But his spirit of kindness was carried on — through his wish of organ donation.

“Once I realized Antwon was a donor, I knew donation could save another’s life,” Yolanda said. “With this decision, I felt that a part of Antwon would always live on.”

In fact, it saved two lives. After Antwon succumbed to his injuries at Allegheny General Hospital on April 26, 2020, Yolanda made the difficult decision to donate his kidney and liver through Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), a federally designated nonprofit organ procurement organization that serves more than 5 million people in Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and portions of New York.

During her time at the hospital, Yolanda worked with Eric from CORE, who she found to be informative, kind and patient during the organ donation process.

“I felt extremely comfortable and gained an understanding of what it meant to be a donor,” she said. “Eric exhibited so much care and respect for my son, and I will always appreciate that.”

Yolanda truly believes this gift of life (actually, two!) is exactly what Antwon would have wanted.

“I’m sure he’s smiling down,” she said of her son. “I think he’s pleased.”