SEATTLE — A benefit concert in Seattle Saturday night kept alive the memory of a West Seattle man who gave a life-saving gift to a woman in need of a heart transplant.
KING 5 covered Joel Eggert's story in 2017 after he died in a motorcycle accident in 2016.
As an organ donor, Eggert's heart was given to Jennie Lawrence, who was at the time, dying of a rare heart condition.
Eggert died on Dec. 4, 2016, after he crashed his motorcycle into a roundabout. Days later, his heart saved Lawrence's life.
Five years later to the day on Dec. 4, 2021, his family kept the tradition of remembering Eggert's life-saving gesture and putting awareness on organ donations.
Lawrence said she is healthy and remains grateful to Eggert and his family.
"You know, I feel so much love. I feel so thankful to be here; thankful for my gift. You know, it's an emotional night," Lawrence told KING 5.
Rhiannon Eggert, Joel Eggert's daughter, said she knows her dad's soul is always with them.
"This doesn't only bring out people that support me or support my dad or what he did. I think it brings together a community and I think there are a lot of people around the holiday season that are grieving people who have passed. Events like this really show people they're not alone," Rhiannon Eggert said.
Proceeds from Saturday night's "The Beating Heart" concert at the Crocodile will go to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research and LifeCenter Northwest, an organ donation nonprofit organization.