Elana Franks would have turned 18 on Feb. 1, but she was just a few hours from donating several of her organs Wednesday night at Ochsner LSU Health when a crowd of about 250 gathered to honor her around the hospital flag pole along Kings Highway in Shreveport. The Calvary student and softball player, 17, suffered a brain injury and internal bleeding in a two-vehicle collision on Fern Avenue late on Tuesday morning. It was determined Wednesday she would not survive. Her family invited teammates, classmates and friends to the 8 p.m. gathering. In honor of her status as an organ donor, the flag of the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency was raised as the crowd lighted candles and listened to testimonies from several who knew her best. Family and friends gathered Wednesday evening outside of Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport to remember Elana Franks and honor her for donating … "Elana was one of the easiest kids I've ever coached," Cavaliers coach Tiffany Wood said. "She was real honest and upfront. She was our calming factor." Franks played softball for Calvary's program, beginning in the seventh grade, and she started four years. That coincided with four consecutive state championships won by the program. The center fielder hit .327 with three home runs and 20 runs batted in 2024. "Elana was a lot of the reason Calvary was so great," teammate Carlie Guile said. "She's never gonna be replaced."Speakers touched on the sadness of the night. Calvary Superintendent, Chad McDowell, quoted Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."Yet, there were several lighter moments, including when Wood shared that Franks had been "a great elementary school kickball player." Before McDowell wrapped up the memorial, her mom, Lisa Franks, addressed the group, thanking them more than once for coming to remember Elana. She also celebrated her daughter's gift of organs, including what she described as a big heart. "Now, she's gonna take that big-a** heart and give it to somebody to save their life," Lisa Franks said. "I hope they take it and do what she did with it."

Friends of Calvary softball's Elana Franks gather to remember Shreveport organ donor

Her family invited teammates, classmates and friends to the 8 p.m. gathering. In honor of her status as an organ donor, the flag of the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency was raised as the crowd lighted candles and listened to testimonies from several who knew her best. Before McDowell wrapped up the memorial, her mom, Lisa […]

Her family invited teammates, classmates and friends to the 8 p.m. gathering. In honor of her status as an organ donor, the flag of the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency was raised as the crowd lighted candles and listened to testimonies from several who knew her best.

Before McDowell wrapped up the memorial, her mom, Lisa Franks, addressed the group, thanking them more than once for coming to remember Elana. She also celebrated her daughter’s gift of organs, including what she described as a big heart.

“Now, she’s gonna take that big-a** heart and give it to somebody to save their life,” Lisa Franks said. “I hope they take it and do what she did with it.”

“Elana was a lot of the reason Calvary was so great,” teammate Carlie Guile said. “She’s never gonna be replaced.”

Family and friends gathered Wednesday evening outside of Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport to remember Elana Franks and honor her for donating …

Speakers touched on the sadness of the night. Calvary Superintendent, Chad McDowell, quoted Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Elana Franks would have turned 18 on Feb. 1, but she was just a few hours from donating several of her organs Wednesday night at Ochsner LSU Health when a crowd of about 250 gathered to honor her around the hospital flag pole along Kings Highway in Shreveport. The Calvary student and softball player, 17, suffered a brain injury and internal bleeding in a two-vehicle collision on Fern Avenue late on Tuesday morning. It was determined Wednesday she would not survive.”Elana was one of the easiest kids I’ve ever coached,” Cavaliers coach Tiffany Wood said. “She was real honest and upfront. She was our calming factor.”

Franks played softball for Calvary’s program, beginning in the seventh grade, and she started four years. That coincided with four consecutive state championships won by the program. The center fielder hit .327 with three home runs and 20 runs batted in 2024.

Yet, there were several lighter moments, including when Wood shared that Franks had been “a great elementary school kickball player.”