The gorgeous smile on the billboard makes you do a double-take.
"That's what people say," says Karen Henderson with a slow nod and the identical smile. "They have to turn around and drive past again to make sure it's Thomas."
That's what I did last week when the larger-than-life image of a handsome young man I thought I knew startled me on Squirrel Hill's Murray Avenue. But even before glimpsing his name, I realized I'd encountered him only in death.
Thomas Henderson was killed Aug. 27, 2003, the first day of his senior year at North Allegheny Senior High School. He was a straight-A student, debater, track star and former Key Club president just preparing applications to the military academies and Ivy League universities. But on his way to the airport to pick up his father Lother, a USAirways pilot, Tom's truck crossed the center line on Flaugherty Run Road and struck another vehicle head on. Patricia Jones, 50, of Ambridge, died at the scene, as did Tom Henderson, 17.
Tom's birthdate and address are changed on the billboard, but his name, signature, hometown of "Wexford, PA" and the word "DONOR" are true and powerful. They started cropping up around southwest Pennsylvania in April -- National Donate Life month -- and their numbers will grow through July and August to include some of the most visible, high-traffic locations in the state.
One billboard with Tom's photo is slated for a spot on I-95 next to Philadelphia's pro-sports complex where an estimated 1 million people per day will see it. Two more will appear soon near Sandcastle Waterpark and PNC Park. All will debut by August -- National Minority Donor Awareness month -- in time for a special promotion during the nationally televised Steelers/Eagles game at Heinz Field on Aug. 15.
Although nationally, only 17 percent of African-Americans register to be organ donors, 33 percent of the 67,000 people waiting for kidneys across the country are African-American, says Shelly Morningstar, spokeswoman for the Center for Organ Recovery and Education. That's because African-Americans are at greater risk to develop hypertension and diabetes -- diseases that lead to renal failure -- but have less access to preventative health care.
By featuring Tom Henderson in their "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Power" campaign, "we wanted to illustrate that African-American families do donate and to encourage more," says Morningstar.
A couple of years ago, when Lother and Karen Henderson took Tom to apply for a driver's license, he checked the box to be an organ donor. "It really took me aback," says Lother. "I had never put that down before."
Karen adds, "I asked whether he was sure that's what he wanted to do, and he said, 'Mom! If I didn't need something, why wouldn't I give it to someone who did?' "
"They couldn't use his organs because of the way he died," his mother says simply. "But he gave his corneas, tissues, heart valves and ligaments."
His corneas "restored sight for two people," Morningstar says. "Tissue donors are the unsung heroes. Because of the way skin, ligaments and bone tissues can be preserved, one tissue donor can help hundreds of people."
A year after Tom's death, CORE officials approached the Hendersons about featuring him in the new campaign. Not only did they say yes, but Karen Henderson has become an occasional public speaker for CORE's Volunteers for Life.
"It's very scary but passionate," she says. "This reignites what Tom stood for. I'm fine while I speak, but I cry all the way home."
Though she had no public speaking experience, she embraces this new cause. "After losing Thomas, I would never want anyone to go through the same thing just because someone didn't want to share what, to me, is God-given."
Reaction to the Hendersons' decision has been mostly positive and respectful, although it has surprised some of Tom's classmates returning home from college who suddenly spot a billboard.
"People are very careful how they talk to us about Tom. I can see in their faces that they're surprised. They're thinking, 'How can she be standing here talking about her son?' But the response I've gotten is overwhelming.
"I would have never thought that Tom wouldn't be here with me," Karen Henderson muses. "If I could control things, of course he would still be here, but I've been given a real peace about this. I can see God's hand at work. I thank Tom every day for teaching me something."
All the Hendersons are registered donors now, including Nick, who'll be a senior this fall at North Allegheny. He was the first to see Tom's billboard on Route 65 -- returning from a basketball game west of Sewickley -- and phoned home with the news.
Even Brandi, 11, plans to register when she's old enough to drive. "I want to be like Tommy." She points to his photo on the gleaming black grand piano and, in front of it, a tiny replica of the billboard.
For more information on organ donation, visit www.core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7.
First Published: June 23, 2005, 4:00 a.m.