February 13, 2024
Isaac Gau’s smile lit up a room; his laughter was infectious. Among his family, he was a loving son, an amazing brother, the best big cousin and a delight to his aunts, uncles and grandparents. Isaac loved playing baseball and basketball, listening to rap music, eating sunflower seeds and Flaming Hot Cheetos, and watching horror movies. When Isaac wasn’t playing sports himself, he cheered on the Brewers, Bucks and Packers and enjoyed memorizing sports statistics.
Isaac impacted 43 lives when he became a donor hero in 2021. Recipients in 17 states have been saved or healed by Isaac’s gift of life.
Isaac’s gifts of organ and tissue donation have restored the health and quality of life for people of all ages. Isaac donated five organs; two of his recipients each received more than one transplant. Isaac’s lung recipient suffered from a genetic condition that scarred his lungs. He was confined to his house and given only months to live. His transplant has allowed him to spend time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and return to traveling, hiking and playing pickleball. Dozens of individuals have benefitted from skin, bone and tendon grafts, helping heal ALC tears, repair spinal defects, and prevent infection and reduce pain for burn victims.
Isaac’s parents, Clarissa and Ben Farrell, say Isaac’s donation reflected his generous spirit.
“We are so proud of how many lives he has impacted through the gift of organ donation. He was the kind of kid who would do anything for his friends.”