Donor mom and volunteer shares lasting impact of daughter’s donation

Laura Givens sat down with KING 5 news to share the life and legacy of her daughter and organ, eye, and tissue donor, Rachel Givens.

Watch that story.

Rachel, forever 23 years old, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing a road, shortly after having dinner with her family. The driver was never found.

But Laura will tell you that she doesn’t focus on how she lost her daughter. “That person will have to live with what they did,” she shared. “Rachel’s story is so much more than that.” Instead, Laura has focused her energy into advocating for organ donation.

Rachel left a legacy as big as she lived life. She was a registered organ donor and saved five lives, restored sight to two others, and helped to heal dozens of more people with her donation of tissues like skin, ligaments, and bones. As a two-time state champion basketball player, and an all-around stellar athlete, Rachel would be thrilled to know that she helped someone walk, run, and find joy through movement.

Watch “Rachel’s Gift” to learn more about the people Rachel helped through the donation of her organs, eyes and tissues.

Laura and her family share Navajo Nation heritage and were “adopted” by the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe when they moved from New Mexico to the Pacific Northwest. Rachel worked as a paraeducator in special education at an early childhood tribal school and also coached youth soccer and basketball. She was immersed in her community and made friends wherever she’d go. “She was bigger than life,” Laura said.

November is Native American Heritage Month. We’re celebrating the contributions of Native American donors and also bringing awareness to the need for organ donation in the community.

• Native American patients represent 1% of the people on the nation’s organ transplant waiting list. This percentage is significant considering Native Americans make up nearly 3% of the total U.S. population (according to the most recent U.S. Census).
• As of November 1, 2025:
  • To date, in the history of organ donation and transplantation, more than 1,500 American Indians and Alaska Natives have given the gift of life as deceased organ donors.
  • To date, in the history of organ donation and transplantation, 7,656 Native Americans have received a life-saving organ transplant. This milestone reflects both the need and the impact of donation in Indigenous communities.

When it comes to diversity in organ donation, shared ethnicity is not required, but the health outcome is stronger when the organ recipient and the organ donor share similar genetic backgrounds. That’s why it’s important that everyone consider organ, eye and tissue donation for themselves. Learn more about the relationship between race, ethnicity, and organ donation.