Blood drive in memory of teen killed on Lincoln’s Saltillo Road

Nearly a year later, friends and family continue to remember Brianna Titterington, a 17-year-old Norris High School student whose life was cut short after a car crash.

“I couldn’t take Brianna home with me that day, I would have done anything to be able to do that,” Brianna’s mom, April Jensen said.

“I miss her goofiness and how much she really cared for her family,” Brianna’s brother, Triston Titterington said.

A blood drive in memory of Brianna was held at Norris High School on Wednesday. Her best friend gave blood for the first time.

“I know that it’s something that Brianna would have wanted me to do, she was a super caring and passionate person,” Alexie Emerson said.

Brianna received over 39 units of blood to help sustain her life and keep her organs viable. She saved 5 people by donating her organs.

“I felt like it was the biggest tragedy that could have ever happened to our family and so to have something so amazing come out of that,” April said. “That is the only good that could come out of losing her.”

April and her family just started working with Live On Nebraska. It’s an organization that facilitates organ and tissue donation.

“We’re just really blessed to have her spread the awareness and the donation and I know that she is really passionate about that so it’s been really great having her with us so far,” Public Outreach Coordinator for Live On Nebraska, Emily Niebrugge said.

By being a part of this organization, Brianna’s mom received 2 bears but they weren’t just any ordinary stuffed animals. They had Brianna’s heart beat and she gave one to Brianna’s best friend.

“I almost started crying, it made me so happy that I’ll have a piece of her to carry with me,” Emerson said.

April and her family say they will continue expressing Brianna’s love of life by helping others.

“I’ll never stop missing her, I’ll never stop hurting but it is a very odd peace that I have in my heart to know that she still lives on,” April said.