Among the greatest gifts of all is the gift of life. Evan Bunting gave the gift of life, multiple times in multiple ways.

Now, his spirit lives on in the lives of others.

"God had a plan I wasn't aware of, and I didn't like it," said Ellen Smoll, Evan's mom. "It was God's plan, not mine. Maybe that was the thing He was planning. Now I always want to help people. But I've learned a lot about organ donations.

"It's just so unnatural for your child to leave before you," she added.

It's been nearly 14 years since that tragic day, June 19, 2012, when Evan, a vibrant 2009 graduate of Conestoga Valley High School, lost his young life in a tragic motorcycle accident. During the process of his passing, a parental decision was made to donate Evan's organs to individuals in need of transplants and to science.

Those donations were made through Gift of Life, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that connects donors to transplant recipients.

"I got the call no mom ever wants to get," said Ellen. "The hospital called and said my son had been rushed to the emergency room. My heart sunk. When I arrived at the hospital, I was told to hold on and the chaplain met me. They told me he had sustained damage to his head and he had internal bleeding. I saw him for a few seconds before they took him into the operating room. Then it was just waiting."

The next day, Evan's brain showed no signs of activity, and he was pronounced dead. It was at that point that Ellen was introduced to representatives of Gift of Life.

"They asked me if I would consider donating Evan's organs, and I immediately said, 'Yes,'" said Ellen. "They kept him alive to take his gifts. I could hear the helicopters landing to take his organs. It was very emotional. I was in horrible grief, but it was a silver lining."

Five days later, Ellen received a letter from Gift of Life. Evan's heart went to a man in his 30s, his liver went to a woman in her 30s, one of his kidneys went to a man in his 50s and his other kidney and his pancreas went to a woman in her 30s. His lungs went to medical research, his skin went to breast cancer patients, one of his corneas went to a man in his 20s and his other cornea went to a woman in her 90s.

According to Gift of Life, nearly 4,500 adults and children in the Philadelphia region are currently awaiting organ transplants, and an average of 13 people waiting for organ transplants die each day.

"It was probably 100 people he impacted," said Ellen, a resident of East Earl Township. "I wanted his heart to be beating in someone else. He had beautiful eyes, and I wanted someone else to have them. I did get a letter from one of my son's recipients and she's doing great, and I met his liver recipient.

"It was a difficult time to make a decision," Ellen continued. "But the people from Gift of Life were so kind. They know how to get somebody through that. I think God would want you to help everyone."

During his high school days at Conestoga Valley, Evan was involved with the small engine program at the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center's Willow Street campus.

"Evan was truly a blessing," said Ellen. "He absolutely lived life to the fullest every day. He had an infectious smile every day. His smile said everything."

Though details remain sketchy, it seems there were no other vehicles involved in Evan's accident.

"We can't figure it out," said Ellen. "We have met with the police, and they tried to re-enact it, but we just don't know. A lady saw him, stopped and held his hand."

Five years after Evan gave the gift of life, Ellen followed his example. She donated one of her kidneys to a woman in Georgia.

"I really didn't know much about organ donations. But it touched my life," said Ellen. "Every day is a gift. Don't take days with your family and friends lightly. If something like this occurs, do the great thing. You can't take it when you leave."

For additional information, go to http://www.donors1.org.