Wyatt would love this!”
Inspired a story
That created a movement
To save thousands
I often think about that photo of 14-year-old Wyatt Eddy and his ’66 Ford truck, Elmer. I ran across it while searching online for old truck parts, but it’s almost as if their story found me. My first conversation with Wyatt’s family would set in motion a two year journey to make a film about his life.
Heart of the Motor is our loving tribute to this extraordinary boy. Now, his family, friends and the wonderful strangers we’ve met along the way are sharing Wyatt’s story with those he had yet to meet.
I wish I had known Wyatt Eddy. I am honored to be part of what he’s inspired and grateful that his story has found its way to you, like it once found me.
Writer / Director / Producer
Meet the Team
Erik Light
From locating heirs of unclaimed fortunes with State Treasury Agents to surviving engine failure over South Africa’s Crocodile River with a bush pilot called Captain Crash, Erik’s production career has yielded many adventures. After turning his camera towards content with heart, Erik was nominated for an Emmy Award for an episode of his series, Bloomtown, filmed at St Louis Children’s Hospital.
Now, after carefully crafting Wyatt’s story, Erik and the Eddys are eager to see its effect on organ donation registration across the U.S.
Shelley Snyder
For the last 15 years, Shelley has been educating and encouraging Kentuckians to register as organ and tissue donors. She knows well the miracles that organ donation inspires, not only for the recipients but also for donor families, like the Eddys.
Upon seeing Wyatt’s film, Shelley and her remarkable team offered to help and have since been great supporters as we spread our hopeful message across the country. She has her eye on a vintage drive-in movie theater as a venue when our tour comes home to Kentucky. Wyatt would approve.
Elisse Glennon
Before starting her consulting firm in 2002, Elisse enjoyed a successful 25-year career in nonprofit foundation and healthcare leadership. Her passion for organ donation and transplantation began in 2010 when she served as VP & Chief Administration Officer for NJ Sharing Network as well as Executive Director of the Sharing Network Foundation.
In addition to the experience and strategy Elisse brings to Team Wyatt’s mission, there’s also a very personal reason behind her passion. Her husband Brian donated a kidney to a complete stranger in 2017, starting a 64-person kidney chain.
Donate Life Kentucky
Donate Life Kentucky Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the unmet needs of those impacted by organ donation and transplantation. Founded in 1992, by the Circuit Court Clerks of Kentucky, Donate Life Kentucky Trust (Trust) focuses on public education and donor registration efforts to save and heal lives.
The Trust also provides critical financial support to transplant patients and donor families by providing access to travel, lodging, medication, mental healthcare, and funeral expenses. Over 100,000 children and adults in America are currently waiting on a lifesaving transplant. Every registered donor gives hope to those waiting.
