HOULTON, Maine — Hannah Mooers could find a way to always help others. Even through her unexpected death on Feb. 3 after suffering a stroke, Mooers, 19, was able to help someone else. As an organ donor, Mooers’ untimely passing allowed others to have a new lease on life.
This Saturday, the New England Organ Bank and Houlton Regional Hospital will honor Mooers’ memory with a 5K walk/run in Houlton.
Registration will begin at 9 a.m., with the race/walk starting at 10 a.m. at the John Millar Civic Center. There will be a registration fee of $10, which includes a T-shirt. Mooers favorite color was pink, so anyone wishing to wear a pink T-shirt in honor of Hannah, will pay only a $5 registration fee.
Mooers was an incredible young lady, whose smile was infectious. To meet her, no one would know what she dealt physically with day to day. From the time she was born, Mooers suffered from a heart disease known as truncas arteriosis type 4, along with several other complications. Mooers underwent three open heart surgeries beginning when she was five weeks old. Her second was when she was 5 and her last one at 11 years of age.
Mooers was remarkable in many ways, as she pulled through each surgery like a trooper.
At 16, Mooers was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, which complicated her condition. But, in typical Hannah style, she had that broad smile and live life to the fullest attitude.
Mooers, who graduated from Houlton High School in 2013, wanted to attend college, but several health issues she had to deal with held her back. So, instead of college out of high school, she joined the workforce. She worked at Subway and Houlton Farms Dairy bar and she substituted at Houlton Elementary School. Though Mooers was a hard worker, she found she couldn’t sustain working full-time because of her health.
Through her short life, Mooers touched many people. She loved her family dearly, along with her “children” and animals. Mooers was “Auntie” to several little ones.
Mooers was involved in a number of causes, including the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, the Houlton Humane Society, the Ark Animal Sanctuary and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
But, one of the many things she did, Mooers changed lives with her kindness and friendship. Organizers of the race are discovering that Mooers loved buying gifts for others, as well as helping to counsel those who were hurting. Though she had many tough times, she never really complained.
This miracle girl’s short time proved not be wasted on this earth. She lives on through her donation of vital organs to others and for scientific research. But, she lives in people’s hearts through the many cherished memories.
For more information or to pre-register for the 5K walk/run, call Tammy Farwell at 694-0521.
