A Mother’s Mission
CKF Ambassador - Kaye Dorsey’s Donor Mother Journey
“My son will never be a ‘was.’ He will always be an ‘is.’” These are the powerful words of Kay Dorsey, a mother who has turned unimaginable loss into unwavering advocacy.
In January 2023, Kay’s life changed forever. Her son, William “BJ” Sigafus, just 26 years old, was in a fatal motorcycle accident, only one day after Kay’s 51st birthday. That final conversation, etched into her memory, became the last time she would hear his voice. What followed were days of medical procedures, difficult conversations, and ultimately, a decision that would define his legacy.
BJ was removed from life support on January 24, 2023, and through the decision to become an angel donor, he saved the lives of four individuals. It was a choice that both made heartbreak and gave hope.
“Organ donation gave our tragedy meaning,” Kay shares. “And it helped me understand even more deeply, especially since I had personally received soft tissue and bone from a donor during my back surgery, just two months before BJ’s passing.”
That personal connection ignited Kay's passion for spreading awareness and empowering others to make informed choices about organ donation. At the Transplant Games of America in Birmingham, Alabama, she connected with the Chris Klug Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public on organ and tissue donation.
Inspired by their mission to “take the myths away” and replace them with facts, Kay became a Foundation Ambassador. Her goal: to share her story and help others realize the power of one decision. “A lot of people check the box on their license without thinking much about it—or they don’t check it because they don’t know the truth. The Chris Klug Foundation changes that. They equip people with knowledge.” Kay, like many others in the community, knows that knowledge is truly the key to making the decision.
Kay has gone on to become an advocate of awareness since BJ’s passing, and joining the CKF Ambassador team has led to her sharing her son’s legacy more than ever. She speaks directly to students, including through events like HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), where she tells her story, not just as a grieving mother, but as a woman who believes in humanity and the strength of choice. Kay aims to inspire and empower every student she educates to take the decision into their own hands and apply the facts.
“You make a difference by making the decision today,” she tells students. “Bring your integrity into every decision. You don’t have to become an ambassador like me, but you can be human—choose to care, to learn, and to make your choices count.”
What drives Kay the most is a belief in purpose. She sees BJ’s life—and his gift—as part of something greater. “If my son’s purpose was to save other people’s lives, then that gives me peace. But whether someone chooses to be a donor or not, that decision should be based on facts, not fear. It’s your body, your choice—but make sure it's an informed one.”
Kay Dorsey continues to share her journey, reminding the world that BJ is not forgotten. “‘Was’ gets forgotten,” she says. “BJ will always be an ‘is.’ This mission is his legacy.”
