Miss Louisiana contestant dedicates pageant journey to cousin, promotes organ donation

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - A Miss Louisiana contestant from the ArkLaMiss is taking the stage this year with a purpose, dedicating her pageant journey to her late cousin and encouraging others to consider organ donation.

In this edition of What’s Your Story, Aaron Dietrich profiles Jansen McDonald, Miss Bell of the Bayou, who is honoring Hayes Crawford, the son of her aunt, Erin Crawford.

“Just seeing her handle the situation is really, it’s an inspiring thing,” Erin Crawford said. “Very grateful that she chose to honor Hayes in this way.”

A growing need for donors

Organ donation can mean the difference between life and death. Nearly 2,000 Louisiana residents and about 100,000 people nationwide are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant.

Hayes, remembered as “fun,” “wise,” and “kind,” was known for his strong faith, his family said.

“He was not your typical nine-year-old little boy,” Erin Crawford said, describing him as wise beyond his years and someone who often led prayers and shared Bible verses with others.

A conversation that stuck

The family said Hayes became interested in organ donation after a conversation he overheard during a trip through downtown West Monroe, when his older sister asked about becoming a donor while preparing to get her driver’s license.

“I could see him in the rearview mirror and his wheels were just spinning,” Erin Crawford said. “He goes, ‘Momma… you mean to tell me that when I’m in heaven, I can give my organs to somebody and it can give them more time to know Jesus?’”

Minutes later, she said, he made up his mind.

“I will never forget it,” Erin Crawford said. “He grinned so big and said, ‘Mom, let’s go. I want to do that, Mom.’”

A loss becomes a legacy

In 2022, a severe case of the flu sent Hayes to the emergency room, and his family said he developed sudden diabetic ketoacidosis. A month later, Hayes died.

Though he had not formally signed up to be an organ donor, his family said his wishes were clear.

“All of a sudden God reminded me, you don’t have to make that decision — he made that for himself,” Erin Crawford said.

Hayes’ organs helped others across the country, his family said.

“I think it is so cool that there are parts of him in Pennsylvania, parts of him in Illinois, there’s parts of him in Texas,” she said.

Now, McDonald says she plans to share Hayes’ story during the Miss Louisiana pageant as a way to encourage more people to become donors.

“I know that God has got me and that he has given me this opportunity to put his story out there for other people,” McDonald said.

Share your story

Dietrich continues to profile unique people and causes across the ArkLaMiss.

Viewers with a story idea can email aaron.dietrich@knoe.com.