Reese Napolitano was just two years old when her mother, Jamie, was the recipient of a life-saving heart transplant.
The Destrehan student knows first-hand the impact an organ donor can have for a family – extending a life, and with it the time one has with a beloved mother, father, sister or brother. And its why Napolitano is spreading awareness about becoming an organ donor.
At the recent football game between host Destrehan and H.L. Bourgeois, Napolitano arranged for the mother and father of an organ donor to be honorary team captains for the night, as well as for Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) to have a booth set up at the game with information and resources for fans and students who might consider becoming a donor. She also shared a QR code at the game to help people easily register to become an organ donor.
Before the game, the Wildcat football players ran out on the field through a banner as is tradition. This week the message written on the banner was on point for the night’s theme: “Pledge to be a donor.”
“We’re very close with our donor family,” said Napolitano. “They’re very special to us. I wanted to raise awareness here at the football game tonight so we can hopefully get students involved and get people out in the community to maybe register to be an organ donor.”
Kevin and Angie Calamari were the honorary team captains for the game. Their son Cameron passed away at the page of 19 in 2021. Though his life ended far too soon, he left a legacy through a selfless act.
“He saved six lives and helped countless other people,” Napolitano said. “It was awesome to have his parents be here as honorary captains.”
There are over 100,000 people on waiting lists to receive life-saving organ transplants – it’s noted that even the largest football stadiums in the country could not fit that number of people inside. Napolitano added that an organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and enhance the lives of as many as 70 more.
The pregame ceremony also highlighted Destrehan head football coach Marcus Scott, who agreed to share his own story to help heighten awareness of the cause.
Scott is in need of a kidney transplant himself and has been on the waiting list for about four years. He said that during his senior year of college, doctors diagnosed him with kidney damage suffered as result of high blood pressure.
“I’m grateful they caught it when they did and I’ve been able to treat it,” Scott said. “(Friday night’s activities) were presented as a way to raise awareness … there are a lot of people in need. So, if sharing my story can help, I want to do that. It’s something I kept quiet about to keep the focus on the kids – that’s who’s important.”
Scott said Napolitano’s effort meant a lot to him.
“Reese did an outstanding job. She put a lot of effort into it and that was much appreciated, not just for me but for everyone involved,” he said.
Jamie Napolitano said the need is much more prevalent than people realize.
“It’s more people than you think, people in your own community who need organs to continue thriving and surviving,” she said.
The night marked a milestone in efforts Reese began as part of work toward her Girl Scout Gold award, where scouts complete projects to make the world a better place. It will not be the last of her efforts. She will be setting up a booth with information at the upcoming Need to Feed 5K event. She is also going to be featured in a video about the cause that is currently being put together that will be shown in all high schools across the state.
“It’s very important to me for people to know and understand what it means to be a donor,” Reese said. “So many people just don’t know … it only benefits others.”
Added Jamie, “It’s so easy to say yes and know that if one day, I’m not going to make it, eight more will survive. When we’re gone, we don’t need our organs. There are so many people you can save and we know so many people who have been saved.”
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