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Services planned for Gastonia teen killed in horse accident

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A Gaston County teenager who died Monday morning is giving life to others.

Destiny Stafford’s mother wrote on Facebook that her daughter’s organs are going to infants who need them.

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Her mother said it is exactly what her daughter would want.

A 5-month-old and a 1-year-old will receive Destiny’s liver.

A 14-year-old will get her lungs and a 17-year-old will get her heart.

A horse kicked the 15-year-old in the head over the weekend, causing her life-threatening injuries. She passed away Monday morning.

A visitation for Stafford will be 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Gastonia First Assembly on Myrtle School Road in Gastonia.

A celebration of life for Stafford will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Gastonia First Assembly.

Her classmates at Stuart Cramer High School in Belmont said Destiny was an inspiration.

Channel 9 is expecting a statement from the family later Tuesday.

Friends have created the hashtag #DestinyStrong to support Stafford and her family.

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If you would like to register for organ donation:

  • Go to DMV, register there and put a heart on your drivers' license
  • Visit this website to sign up
  • Call them: 704-512-3303, or toll-free: 800-932-GIVE (4483)

Statement from the family of Destiny Stafford:

We want to express our deepest appreciation for all the love and support we have received from our family, friends, community and the staff of the Levine Children's Hospital. It has comforted us during a time of indescribable grief and sorrow. As we have gone through some difficult decisions no family ever wants to make, in the forefront of our thoughts has been the question, "What would Destiny want?" The answers are guided by her Christian faith, and her gentle, kind and generous spirit. We know she would want to help others and would be so happy that the

Recipients of her organs are as follows:

  • Lungs -  14-year-old girl
  • Liver -  5-month- old and 1-year-old girls
  • Heart – 17-year-old boy

Our thoughts and prayers are with these families and we are so grateful that she will live on through these young people and the potential advancements from research on her other organs.

Please join us as we celebrate her all too short but joyous life, honor her memory and stand in

awe of the contribution Destiny has made to others.

Details of service arrangements will be forthcoming.

WSOC

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