Our Last Project Together.

When I set off "on my own" 7 years ago, it was my 18 year-old cousin Thomas who was by my side.

Today should have been Thomas' 26th birthday -- but at 14, he was diagnosed with HCM, and after more than a decade of valiantly battling, he peacefully passed away last month. His heart condition forced him to adjust his active teenage lifestyle, but thankfully he quickly found a home on every stage he touched.

He was a natural at all things creative, and by 18 he could fill any role on set from Director to Prop Master. Make-a-Wish even recognized his gifts by giving him a small filmmaking kit right as he was graduating from Bethlehem HS.

Thomas was generous throughout his life. He graciously let me borrow that film kit to start Akullian Creative...without it, I likely wouldn't have quit my job at Autotask. His knowledge was a gift he also loved to share. He had technical abilities that were well beyond mine with a camera, and I learned so much from him. Thomas was even one of the first "Aces" before he started college again.

Right around this time last year we had been talking with Donate New York State about helping with video campaigns. Our goal was to encourage people to "Check Yes" to become Organ Donors. Thomas had been waiting for more than 10 years to be able to hear his name called on the list -- so this was obviously a topic close to our hearts...literally. I reached out to Thomas with the concept of "Hidden Talents", and how we could highlight the special ability everyone has to save lives just by checking yes. 

We planned to build a sample together but I never got to work it with him. Then as COVID struck, the project got put on hold... or at least I thought it did. Thomas would send me a link to the video below to send as an example. It was so much more than that, and it was truly beautiful and inspiring. View the video.

Thomas loved everyone, and everyone who met him loved Thomas. Help him save lives by becoming an organ donor...#CheckYes Register Today!