MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Batman is known as a hero around the world. The caped crusader was a favorite of 11-year-old Andrew Loyd, who will also be known around the world soon when he’s honored at the Rose Bowl Parade.
“He was a great kid. Full of life. Just loved life,” Andrew’s uncle Andy Burress said.
Like Batman, Andrew is a hero, but in a much different way. Andrew was killed by his mentally-ill father Billy Loyd before Billy turned the gun on himself in October of 2012.
Burress may have been Andrew’s uncle, but he was also like his second father. He even had custody of him when he was a baby.
“Since we’ve lost Andrew, someone else has benefited greatly from such a tragedy. That’s a blessing in disguise for sure,” Burress said.
Because Andrew initially survived the gunshot and was on life support for several days at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, his organs were in great shape to be harvested and donated to save other lives.
Four people are now alive because of Andrew’s sacrifice.
“For Andrew it was such a short life, but he just exemplified life to the fullest. He always wanted to be a super hero. He loved super hero characters, and he truly was. He was super, and he was a hero because he himself was able to give the gift of life and save other lives,” manager of community outreach for the Mid-South Transplant Foundation Randa Lipman said.
Lipman hopes Andrew’s story will inspire others to sign up and be a hero too.
She and the Mid-South Transplant Foundation were so touched by Andrew’s story, they selected him to be honored on the Donate Life float in the Rose Bowl Parade in January.
“The donate life float in the Rose Parade is the largest promotion or campaign of donation that exists because the parade is seen by 40 million viewers worldwide. So it’s such a great opportunity to share his story,” Lipman said.
Andrew’s picture will be made into a floriography made of seeds and dried flowers and will be featured on a float being built in Pasadena. The float will have the theme “The Never Ending Story,” which is a true illustration of Andrew’s legacy.
The floriography will be presented during a ceremony December 11th at Andrew’s school in Alcorn County. His friends and family will have the chance to remember him and place the final touches on his image.
“That’s just an unreal honor that we feel from that, and it’s a great representation of him because that’s what he was all about. Full of life. He didn’t lose his life, he gave it to others,” Burress said.
Andrew continues to touch people in other ways as well.
The Andrew Loyd Law is now in affect in Mississippi, protecting children from mentally unstable guardians by adding additional protections.
Thanks to the Mid-South Transplant Foundation, Andrew’s family will be on hand to see the float during the Rose Bowl New Year’s Day.
If you would like to become an organ donor, you should sign up with your state’s organ donation registry. You can designate your decision on your driver’s license, and tell your family about your donation decision.