Hamilton Southeastern High School graduate awarded a 2026 educational scholarship from Indiana Donor Network Foundation
June 15, 2026
FISHERS, Ind. – When she was 10, Reagan Kurcinka’s father died from cancer.
Reagan describes herself as a miniature version of her dad. “We’d go to the library on the weekends. We’d watch football games together. He watched “Scooby Doo” with me every night,” she recalls. “Even when he was in the hospital undergoing treatment, I’d visit him all the time. The nurses knew me by name.”
As a young girl, Reagan’s dad instilled in her a strong sense of helping others. He taught her how to save money to buy food to donate at the family’s church every week. He taught her that blood donation saves lives. And, through his death, Reagan learned how powerful helping someone with gifts of life can be.
Reagan’s father was a cornea donor to restored sight to two people.
“There’s something poetic about knowing part of my dad exists in the world. His eyes are still out there, getting to see even more special moments then he did before he died,” she said. “Knowing this pushes me to leave the most positive impact everywhere I can. My dad is still a part of my life, living through me in the lessons and impact he left on me and those around him.”
Kurcinka, of Fishers has been awarded a $5,000 educational scholarship from Indiana Donor Network Foundation.
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Indiana Donor Network Foundation established its scholarship fund in 2005 to provide educational scholarships for family members of Indiana residents who are organ and tissue donors, living donors, transplant recipients or people waiting for lifesaving transplants.
This year, $25,000 was awarded in scholarships, made possible due to the generosity of financial contributions made by Indiana Donor Network employees and supporters of Indiana Donor Network Foundation.
Those selected as scholarship recipients have a personal connection to donation, either to someone whose life was saved when they received a transplant or to a loved one who became an organ and tissue donor. Scholarship winners often become advocates for donation by helping raise awareness and support in their communities.
Other 2026 scholarship recipients include Rylan Jordan of Knox, Indiana ($10,000); Roselyn Bounds of Huntingburg, Indiana ($7,500); and Raeleigh McCracken of Winslow, Indiana ($2,500).
Reagan graduated from Hamilton Southeastern High School in May. There, she was a cheerleader, a member of the choir, a member of the unified track and performing arts team and member of various student clubs. In her community, Reagan was a member of the Fishers Armed Service Committee, Riley Dance Marathon and National Honor Society. She also volunteered her time at Holy Spirit Church.
This fall, she’ll attend Loyola University Chicago to study biology. She ultimately hopes to attend medical school and become an obstetrician-gynecologist. “This feels like a beautiful way to give my life to serving others and keep me connected to my dad through the values we shared,” she said.
Despite age or medical history, anyone can sign up to be a donor at DonateLifeIndiana.org. Learn more about Indiana Donor Network.
Indiana Donor Network’s mission is to save and enhance the quality of life through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Its vision is to be a leader in organ and tissue recovery. Founded in 1987, the organization coordinates donation in 85 of the state’s 92 counties and serves transplant hospitals throughout the U.S.
ABOUT INDIANA DONOR NETWORK
The decision to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor is a decision to give the gift of life. Indiana Donor Network serves as the vital link between donors and patients waiting for lifesaving organ transplants, healing tissue and corneas to restore sight. The organization is a federally designated organ recovery organization and accredited tissue bank serving 85 of Indiana’s 92 counties. Its team of more than 400 dedicated professionals is committed to saving and healing lives through donation and transplantation, championing the cause through education and outreach and supporting donor families in their time of need. For more or to sign up as a donor, visit Indiana Donor Network online.
ABOUT INDIANA DONOR NETWORK FOUNDATION
As a subsidiary of Indiana Donor Network founded in 1997, Indiana Donor Network Foundation enhances the lives of those touched by donation through education, innovation, caring and support. The foundation raises funds through individual contributions, special events and sponsorships to support transplant recipients and the families of donor heroes. For more, visit Indiana Donor Network Foundation online.
Indiana Donor Network® and the Indiana Donor Network Foundation® are federally registered trademarks.
ABOUT DONATE LIFE INDIANA
Since 1998, Donate Life Indiana has been the state-authorized nonprofit organization responsible for managing the Indiana donor registry. Its mission is to save lives by creating opportunities for all Indiana citizens to sign up on the organization’s official state registry while striving to raise awareness for organ, tissue and cornea donation and transplantation through public education. For more, visit Donate Life Indiana online.
