Swingler Family Volunteer Fund

By now, most of you are aware and deeply saddened that Kristi’s (Swingler) youngest son, Brian, was found not breathing and unresponsive on Sunday, January 24, 2016. The medical staff and family have been keeping Brian on a ventilator in hopes that he would make a recovery. Unfortunately, this did not happen due to the oxygen deprivation to his brain. Our hearts, thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to Kristi and the family.

With Kristi’s permission, I am sharing the facts as appropriate and offering support to her where we can during this devastating period.

Brian was twenty-four (24) years old and had suffered with bipolar disorder and depression for many years. This dreaded combination is a silent killer and is often marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior and is by no means a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. These changes in mood and behavior can last for hours, days, weeks, months or an entire lifetime and is estimated to affect more than six (6) million Americans.

Kristi decided to put a positive spin on Brian’s death and offering the gift of life to others by working with LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services. It was determined that Brian was a good candidate and they immediately began running blood tests to identify potential candidates that could benefit from his life-saving organs. I spoke directly with Kristi and she stated, “In my heart, I can't find a reason NOT to impact or improve another’s life by providing lifesaving organs or improve one’s quality of life, such as the gift of sight (one of the more difficult organs to obtain). This will allow Brian to live on in many others and in our hearts forever”.

In about a month, Kristi will receive information on the recipients and how many lives were saved or improved by Brian’s organ donation. Then, in approximately one year, she should receive their names and contact information and be able to communicate or possibly meet some of the recipients should they agree.   

Now that you have heard Kristi’s story, many of you, her close friends, peers and coworkers have been asking how you can donate or assist. NOW, is your chance. Every little bit will help!

All of the funds raised in Brian’s memory will go to help out Kristi with the many expenses, costs, etc. resulting from this tragedy.

Please continue to keep Kristi, her other son Joey and the immediate family in your thoughts and prayers during this trying period.

Thank you so very much for your heartfelt contribution!