By Pete Wurdock
When tragedy struck Candy Labadie and her family with the sudden loss of her son, Rohen Clark, on February 13, 2022, their world turned upside down. Rohen, the son of Candy Labadie and Terry Clark, was just 10 years old and suffered a brain aneurysm.
Despite efforts to transport him to a specialized hospital, Rohen was beyond the reach of medical intervention. During their overwhelming grief, Candy found a glimmer of hope in the “Gift of Life” program, which facilitates organ and tissue donation.
Remarkably, a representative from the program was present at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital when Rohen arrived. They acted quickly, ensuring that Rohen’s organs could help others in need.
Two years later, Candy continues to navigate her loss by focusing on the lives Rohen has changed. His donated organs and tissues have saved and transformed the lives of more than 20 people, including Wendy Ryan, a 56-year-old woman from Virginia.
Wendy’s health had deteriorated since a surgery in 2011, and she was on the brink of death when she received Rohen’s small bowel, colon, and small intestine. This transplant was possible due to Wendy’s petite frame and critical condition, allowing her to receive Rohen’s organs despite the typical age-related limitations.
“Wendy is the newest member of my family,” Candy reflects, emphasizing the profound connection they share. “My relationship with her has been life-changing.”
Candy and Wendy hit it off right away. In their initial correspondence, Candy told Wendy a little bit about Rohen: what he was like, how he loved dogs, and how he had hoped to be a canine handler when he grew up.
Wendy shared that with her brother, who is the Chief of Police in Campbell, CA. Ironically, that department was just getting a new canine and he asked if she thought the family would be okay if they named their new police dog after Rohen.
Candy was thrilled.
“My connection with Wendy has been life changing. Now I get the word out more by sharing my story than I do by handing out a pamphlet,” Labadie said. “Getting to know and love Wendy, has brought back so much of my old self and my old soul. It’s been very healing.”
“In her darkest hour, when she had just lost her son, she made a choice to give life to other people,” Wendy said about Candy. “And I don’t know that she’ll ever understand the duality of how I hold that in my heart. She saved my life.”
In August, Candy and her husband traveled to California to meet Rohen the canine.
When they arrived at the Campbell Police Department, they were warmly greeted. The chief explained that most working canine dogs are not very loving while off duty and usually reside in a kennel inside the police station when not on duty. But canine Rohen is an exception. He also lives with his handler’s family.
Gary Berg, the Campbell Chief of Police said this: “Finally being able to introduce canine Rohen to Rohen’s family was such an emotional moment for our entire department. Thank you to the Labadie family for letting us be a part of Rohen’s story. We hope to continue honoring his legacy and dreams of becoming a canine handler.”
Before the dog was named Rohen, his trainer had called him TJ. Ironically, Candy had a brother named TJ and her son, Rohen, was much like TJ.
When Candy’s brother passed away, his eyes were donated through the Gift of Life. “Rohen thought it was so cool that someone was walking around with TJ’s eyes and could see. He thought it was amazing and told all his friends about it,” Labadie said.
The Gift of Life program enables anyone to save a life. A single person can save or improve the lives of up to 70 people through organ and tissue donation.
Candy is now a volunteer for the Michigan Chapter of the Gift of Life, championing the cause. But now, in addition to sharing pamphlets about organ donation, Candy actively shares Rohen’s story to raise awareness and inspire others.
Candy, who teaches at Tahquamenon Area Schools, faces the future knowing there will times of sadness, but she is also at peace.
“There is comfort in knowing that my ‘mom fear’ of him being forgotten is never going to happen,” Candy said.
There are currently 114,000 Americans awaiting an organ transplant. Visit www.Giftoflifemichigan.org to learn more.
