Laura Gillum Honors Infant Son’s Legacy with Kidney Donation; Meets Her Recipient for the First Time Friday Morning at Allegheny General Hospital

PITTSBURGH, Pa.– Laura Gillum of Canonsburg, altruistic kidney donor, will meet her transplant recipient, Brian Cox of Aliquippa, for this first time at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 5 at Allegheny General Hospital. The moving reunion honors the far-reaching legacy of Laura’s late two-year-old son, Dean “Burrito” Gillum.

LAURA’S STORY:

In 2015, in a horrific drowning accident, Laura and Paul Gillum lost their son, Dean, at only 2-years-old. Dean accidentally fell into his family’s backyard swimming pool while he was playing in the backyard. He suffered severe brain damage and within three days, he passed and gave the gift of life to another young boy in need.

Lennon Cureton of South Carolina was born with a congenital heart disease and he received Dean’s heart when he was only six-months-old. In 2017, Dean’s parents met Lennon for the first time and the moving reunion was covered by both local and national news. Laura held a stethoscope to Lennon’s heart, hearing Dean’s heartbeat again.

Just a few weeks ago, Laura altruistically donated her kidney at Allegheny General Hospital further extending Dean’s far-reaching, ever-present legacy. For the first time, she will meet the man who received her kidney.

WHEN:

Friday, April 5 at 10 a.m.,All media must arrive by 9:45 a.m. to set up prior to the reunion.

WHERE:

Allegheny General Hospital ,320 East North Avenue ,Pittsburgh, PA 15212