Salty Church benefit raises $5,000 for organ donation and AVM

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

A benefit in memory of Brandon Bagnall, who died from AVM and saved five lives from organ donation , was held last week.

BY EMILY BLACKWOOD | STAFF WRITER

Though 16-year-old Brandon Bagnall's death was unexpected, his willingness to help others lives on.

Salty Church was filled Sunday night with residents of Ormond Beach taking a moment to remember Brandon's life and do their part to bring awareness to Arterio-Venous Malformation and organ donation. The Believe Like Brandon benefit encouraged the community to give back to those in need.

"He was the sweetest person," his mother, Sue Bagnall, said during her opening speech. "Brandon never met a stranger."

And Brandon's kindness continued to make an impact even after his death. The organs he donated saved five lives. The recipient of his right lung, Bob Bougher, spoke at the benefit.

"I was on the last stage of living when guess who came into my life," Bougher said. "I didn't know him but, today, he is with me in my right lung."

Fully aware that her son would have wanted this event to be fun, Bagnall included a raffle, an auction and entertainment. Evan Gibb, a local Orlando musician, performed.

The benefit raised more than $5,000.

"It's been very difficult. I have tried to put my faith in God and really pull through for Brandon," Sue Bagnall said. "For those that knew him, he was a great, kind-hearted kid."

Robbie O'Brien, pastor at Salty Church, said that Brandon was close with his oldest son, and he's glad they got to spend a lot of time together.

"All that I know and all that I ever heard was that he was just an amazing-quality kid," O'Brien said. "In a youth ministry you got a hundred kids running around and everybody says their kid is a good kid, but Brandon was really a top-shelf kid."