Donor Hero: Luke Ludwig
A vivacious and determined child, Luke Ludwig defied all odds in his short life. He will be forever remembered for his giving spirit, and the lives he saved.
At 4 days old, Luke Ludwig had an anoxic brain injury. Doctors didn’t know if he would make it through the night; his prognosis was bad, and doctors had a very low expectation of his survival.
Luke spent months in the hospital and received a number of diagnoses, including obstructive apnea and CVI (cortical visual impairment), and doctors believed he would be blind.
Despite what doctors told his mom, she wanted to do everything she could to give baby Luke a chance. She placed Christmas lights on his crib and she noticed that he began tracking which helped him to focus. Luke was not blind.
Luke was very determined and did most things doctors thought he would never be able to.
At 3 years old, he began to play soccer on an adaptive team with his wheelchair (except for when he was shooting a goal – he had to stand up for that!) Luke also played basketball and tried gymnastics.
Despite all odds, Luke lived to be 8 years old and proved that he was “a force of nature.” His mom describes him as someone who would never take “no” for an answer; he was sweet, loving and very sneaky.
Most of all, Luke had a big personality and a giving spirit.
His personality exuded energy, and he was always a giving child. He had annual traditions with his mom of donating toys and books, putting change in the Salvation Army can during the holidays, and choosing a child to provide gifts for from the Salvation Army Angel tree. And each year, he carefully chose the gifts he would provide that child.
When Luke passed away in November of 2020, his mother Angie Ludwig decided to say YES to organ donation to spare other moms from the pain she was going through.
Through the gifts of his kidneys, liver and heart, Luke saved the lives of four children through organ donation. Angie says that Luke lives on through the lives of the children he saved.