Abe Meissner Yates Hospital Debt Relief

Abe Meissner Yates, age 17, of Berea, passed away December 18, 2021, peacefully with his family by his side at UK Chandler Medical Center. Abe, the son of Joe Yates and Robin Meissner, and the brother of Grace Meissner Yates, was born December 31, 2003. Other survivors include his many and very dear family members, friends, and his girlfriend, Ollie Bellando. Abe was a senior at Madison Southern High School. He was a talented guitarist/composer (@88pandas), enjoyed playing Lacrosse, and was an exceptional student (he would have written this better than any of us). He hoped to study artificial intelligence at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science. He coded for fun. He was affectionately known by many as The Abester, Abeybaby, Rocket, Abob, Sir Dookie, and The Ginga Ninja. Abe was a critical thinker who liked to challenge himself (Math Rock key signatures). His whole life, he was mature beyond his years, but the goof came out occasionally thanks to the special people in his life. Abe was so loving, thoughtful and considerate, as well as confident and self assured. Words truly do not do justice to describe his heart and soul. The world was better with Abe in it. He sacrificed to provide the hardest gift to give and his family is thankful for the incredibly compassionate staff at UK Medical Center and Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates. Please help Abe live on through remembrance.

Due to an extremely rare condition, Abe had a large brain aneurysm that ruptured resulting in a catastrophic stroke. Abe was gone. The option for donation due to brain death was initially the strongest possibility. Brain death is a legally defined process/ determination. As days progressed and medical assessments indicated it was not likely the best option, we moved forward with donation after cardiac death (DCD). Abe and his heart were only seventeen though. We made impossible decisions with the best intentions and ultimately had faith that Abe’s body was in control. He passed peacefully with his mom, dad, and sister by his side. Abe made numerous powerful gifts that we are hopeful will save or improve the lives of others.

Without hesitation, we determined organ donation was the best way to make a tragic event meaningful. We required a lot of education though. No organ donation options cause or hasten death, of course. Every injury and situation varies, so our story is our story. If immediate family is available, organ donation is always a choice, how to give or to not give at all. It is important to let family members know your wishes, so those wishes can be honored. Or, sign the Donor registry online at Registermeky.org or when you renew your license.

The time spent in the hospital and measures to ensure organ donation created a large amount of medical costs during those 10 days. Donations will help relieve the costs of the hospital stay and measures that allowed Abe to give the greatest gift to others.

Any remaining proceeds will be donated to Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates.