NASCAR Driver Joey Gase Honors the Life of Leah Tarvin
Leah Tarvin always wanted to take a lap at Talladega. She grew up watching races with her father. Sadly Leah, a Jacksonville State University student, tragically died when she was struck by a vehicle walking across campus on Nov. 2, 2022.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, she was honored at Talladega Superspeedway by NASCAR driver Joey Gase who raced his No. 35 car with a picture of Leah on his hood.
Gase’s mother, Mary, died suddenly of a brain aneurysm in April 2011. Just 18 at the time, Gase made the courageous decision to donate her organs and since then he has become a huge advocate for organ donation.
Leah had made a similar choice years ago to be an organ donor herself, which her parents, Mark and Cindy, wanted to honor. “Leah was known for her kindness and the positive impact she made on everyone around her,” Mark said. “She loved to help people, and this was just another way she could still do that.” To date, Leah has saved or healed over 75 people through organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Gase often recognizes other organ donors at NASCAR tracks around the country. “It’s one thing to have logos on the car, but when the public sees hand prints and honoree photos on the car they are going to stop and ask what’s on there,” Gase told WBRC news. “We get to tell them why and that saves lives by getting people to register as well.”
The Tarvins say the impact their daughter has had is far-reaching. So far, they’ve been able to meet the man who received Leah’s lungs. “It was unbelievable to meet Willie,” Mark said. “His lips were quivering and he said, ‘your daughter saved my life.’ He told me he would go to bed every night, not knowing if he would wake up.”
And the Tarvins got to meet Gabriel, the little boy who received one of her kidneys. “He is six years old and hadn’t been able to walk yet,” Cindy recalled. Thanks to Leah’s gift, he made progress to the point where during their first meeting at the Legacy of Hope Celebration of Life Picnic, he grabbed Cindy’s hand and walked for the very first time. “That was an amazing moment,” she added.
Leah was also one of a handful of donors who was able to give her uterus to a recipient. “She sent us a card and letter,” Mark said. “And told us she hopes to meet us one day when she’s holding her own child.”
Organ donation is one of the bright spots in an otherwise tragic situation for the Tarvins. “When her accident happened, I was praying to God, ‘please don’t let her die, let her live,’” Mark said. “And I told Cindy that it seems like in a way he did answer that prayer. Through her life-saving gifts, that means a part of her is still alive. Think about all of those families who were crying and praying for their loved ones to live. God answered a whole bunch of people’s prayers at one time.”
For the spunky child who could pick up any sport or play a new musical instrument with ease, it’s no surprise that she’s been able to have this big of an impact in life and in death.
“That child of ours has really touched a lot of people,” Cindy said. And she got to check off taking a lap at Talladega. A bucket list item realized. Just in a different way.
The Tarvins encourage everyone to #livenandlovelikeleah. And while you’re at it, register your decision to make LIFE possible and be an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
