PEOSTA, Iowa (KCRG) — It’s not every day you can help save a life at a coffee shop.
Friday, April 24, marked “Live Like Cam Day” in Peosta, honoring Cameron Schaefer, who was killed after being hit by a truck that failed to yield at a stop sign in 2024.
Four days after he died, Cam achieved his final wish, becoming an organ donor at a Madison hospital. His choice means five people live with a healthy heart, liver, kidneys and corneas.
“When he was 19 and he got his CDL, he was with his best friend and they decided to become organ donors. That really touched my heart and we honored those wishes,” said Cam’s mother, Amy Copeland.
Nearly two years later, Copeland organized a day of organ donor advocacy with 23 area businesses, all donating proceeds from specially made items to the University of Wisconsin Organ and Tissue Donation.
“I can’t put it in the words. It just means the world to us, not just to honor Cam, but help raise awareness,” Copeland said.
Raising awareness for organ donation
Tracie Cook, community outreach coordinator at the University of Wisconsin Organ and Tissue Donation, said more than 100,000 people are on the national organ transplant waiting list.
“Don’t rule yourself out. We all have some good in us, and even if everything is ruled out,” Cook said. “There’s no harm. You’re just saying, ‘I would be willing to help if I could.’”
Kelly Mills, co-owner of Jumble Coffee, made an energy drink featuring Cam’s favorite treats, like sour patch kids. The $7 drink is raising money to help the cause, one customer at a time.
“We were all in tears at different times through the day because it’s so special to see the people that came through,” Mills said. “The community showed up and it was amazing.”
Other businesses also supporting the cause include Dark Bird Tap & Grill, Crossroads Nutrition, Delaney’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Man Cave Cut Shop, Town Clock Pizza, Round 2, Trackside Bar & Grill, Burds Family Practice and Red Roof Diner.
Cook said people can join the Iowa organ donor registry at IowaDonorNetwork.org and can learn more about organ donation at uwotd.org.
Copeland also helped launch the nonprofit organization started in Cameron’s memory, Live Like Cam, which has several events planned later this year.
“Live Like Cam Kid’s Day” is set for noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, at O’Leary’s Lake Recreation Area, including several family-friendly activities.
The nonprofit is also hosting the first annual Live Like Cam golf outing on June 27 at Meadows Golf Course in Asbury, featuring a 50-50 raffle and a silent auction.
Money raised by the nonprofit is creating scholarships for students wanting to get into the trades, while also promoting attentive driving, motorcycle safety, organ donation awareness and community giving.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
