A
leksander Richard Teimouri’s life was taken
from him too soon. “While it seems like
the life he had was not long enough, there’s
comfort in knowing he did live each day to
the fullest,” says Dr. Tina Teimouri, Alek’s
mother. “Alek was always smiling—one of
those full-teeth-showing kind of smiles.
Alek was always moving, always doing, always giving.”
In January, a memorial bike ride was held in Cranberry
Township to honor and remember the 22-year-old bicyclist
who was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver.
When Alek was not lending a helping hand, he was
pursuing one of his many interests—from mixed martial arts
to playing the piano, painting, and many other things that
he made look effortless. He studied biology and chemistry
at the University of Pittsburgh. Alek was always making
others laugh; the simplest things in life made him happy.
Before the accident, Alek was accepted into development
for Air Force Special Ops Pararescue, and trained more
than four hours every day for the program. “He wanted
to do something ‘exciting’ before medical school,” says
Teimouri. Additionally, Alek took a part-time job at Mad
Mex while he was waiting to ship out with the Air Force.
The night of the accident, Alek left work for the short bike
ride home. Following all traffic rules and with working bicycle
lights, he was hit from behind by a driver with a .014 blood
alcohol level. “He flew up and his head impacted the windshield,
then as the driver stopped, he was thrown more than 20 feet
and hit his head again on the ground,” says Teimouri. He was
transported by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian
and was diagnosed with non-sustainable brain injuries.
“Of course Alek—
being the person he
was—was an organ
donor, a choice he made
in knowing his sister’s
best friend, Sammie,
who had received
three heart transplants,
and his uncle who is
a transplant surgeon,”
continues Teimouri.
“We made the choice to
donate Alek’s organs.”
Over the
next 48 hours,
while they matched organ recipients, friends and family
pulled together and sat vigil at his bedside, and were
able to say goodbye. At 3 a.m. on December 29, 2018,
Alek was wheeled to the OR to give his final gifts.
“Many times, it’s hard to see through the sadness, but
I’m thankful the driver stopped, allowing us through this
tragedy to save many lives and give us those few days in the
hospital to say goodbye to my amazing son,” says Teimouri.
“Through organ donation, we have received so much
comfort in our bereavement and so much support,” she
continues. “As Alek lives on in others and helps their
families to not feel this loss, we believe it’s important
for the community to sign up as organ donors.”
Alek’s family and friends continue to honor his life
by holding different events to raise money and bring
awareness to the community. During this year’s memorial
bike ride, Alek’s family was joined by 137 bicyclists.
His family created a scholarship to memorialize the life Alek
lived and the person he was. The scholarship had more than 20
applicants in its first year. “We could not pick just one winner,
as there are so many worthy children who have accomplished
so much against such adversity,” says Teimouri. “Our top
recipient received a $20,000 scholarship as her life obstacles
and goals closely matched what we want Alek’s legacy to be.”
Last month, a spaghetti dinner was held, bringing in
more funds to his GoFundMe page and allowing his family
to help three more graduates in need. Alek’s family plans
to continue the scholarship fund to help amazing kids
who wouldn’t be able to make it to college otherwise.
“When a person makes the decision to drink and drive, it’s
a decision that can change many people’s lives forever—not
just the person whose
life you take or forever
alter, but their families
and yours will be forever
changed,” says Teimouri.
“An amazing person
with such gifts and
potential, with a heart
for good, was taken from
this world in an instant.
It’s up to us to go on
living and make their life
meaningful by bringing
awareness to others.” n
Alek’s GoFundMe Page:
https://www.gofundme.com/x32db-in-loving-memory-of-alek-teimouri
CRANBERRY ❘ SUMMER 2019
17