Sunday, April 17, 2011

Organ Donation: The Greatest Gift

                                                                                                Julie Kemp Pick


Recently the Chicago Tribune's cover story, Just a Liver Transplant Among Friendly Neighbors, by Michelle Manchir, told about how two residents in a suburban subdivision banned together to save their friend who needed a liver transplant. A 41 year old man who was suffering from the same rare liver disease that took Walter Payton's life, was fortunate enough to have one neighbor offer to "remove a portion of  the donor's liver and place it in the ill person's body. The liver is the only interior organ that regenerates--typically in about three months."

When the surgeon found scarring on the first woman's liver, another neighbor offered to take her place. Now all three neighbors "share surgery scars above their belly buttons." They are all doing well, and the recipient is thankful to both women for risking their lives to save his. "They really don't act like it's anything special. They're just crazy, wonderful, amazing people."

Both my husband and my brother received organ donations. My husband underwent two cornea transplants, and my brother received a healthy kidney almost 6 years ago.

Due to a complicated medical history, my brother was told that he could be on a waiting list for 5-10 years or longer. Fortunately, he received a call a year and a half later on his 47th Birthday, from the transplant team. He owes his life to a cadaver donor.

Today, my brother is a healthy, energetic 52 year old, who often wears his nephews out whether they're lifting weights or playing basketball. He strongly believes that "everyone should be a donor regardless of religious beliefs, because you can save several lives by donating your organs. It's morally wrong to be a recipient and not a donor." 

April is Organ Donor Awareness Month, and it's easy to become a donor by checking off the box when you renew your drivers license, or registering at Organdonor.gov. Our family is extremely grateful for the gifts we've been given, and are proud to pay it forward.    



  




A to Z Blogging Challenge

19 comments:

  1. Yes, Organ donating is the greatest gift anyone can give . I enjoyed your read and felt humbled by it.

    Yvonne.

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  2. i agree....our whole family has signed their drivers licence forms AND the forms you are given when you make out your will.

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  3. Wow! What a fantastic story and an important reminder.

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  4. I've been an organ donor since I was old enough to legally make that choice for myself. Thank you for the reminder of how important it is. :)

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  5. I'm all for organ donation. Someone told me it's essential to tell you're family you want to be an organ donor too, otherwise they may fight what's on your driver's license.

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  6. It is nice to hear a happy story! I'm signed up to be an organ donor and try to encourage others to do the same.

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  7. Sad that those that don't consider being an organ donor, generally would consider accepting a donated organ in a time of need.


    RJRDaydreamer

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  8. I'm a big fan of your blog. Some of the quotations in this entry are not identified. Your loyal readers are interested in your personal opinions and that is why we follow you. Thank you for discussing important topics. The Protagonist.

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  9. Thank you for the speaking out on behalf of organ donation. How wonderful that both your husband and brother got the transplants they needed, and new leases on life. Far too many people wait for organs that never come.

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  10. @Yvonne - Thanks for your support.

    @mybabyjohn - That is such good news! Thank you!

    @Talli - Thanks Talli! Way to go on the VideO!

    @Jeffrey - That's a big decision to make at a young age! You should be very proud!

    @Angela - That's a good point! Donors do need to tell their families. Thanks

    @Amy - Another good citizen! Thank you!

    @RJR - That was the point that my brother was trying to make. Many people don't feel that way.
    Thank you!

    @The Protagonist - To clarify, all of the quotes in the first 2 paragraphs are from the Tribune article. The last sentence in the 2nd paragraph is from the liver recipient. All of the remaining quotes are from my very handsome and debonair brother. I didn't use any names as I felt it would further complicate things.

    @Susan - You are so right! We are very fortunate and extremely grateful!

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  11. What a wonderful post!
    It addresses an issue that needs to be considered by everyone!
    Thank you for an insightful and humbling post.

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  12. Thank you for your comment, very kind.

    Yvonne.

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  13. What a wonderful post for O. Very touching stories, thank you for sharing.

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  14. Hello! Stopping by from the A-Z challenge. What a great topic for the letter O!
    As a person living with stage 4 cancer I am not able to be a donor but would be if I could.
    Happy for your family!

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  15. @Rachel - Thanks for the kind words!

    @Julie - I really appreciate it!

    @Elayne - Thanks for visiting me! I'm so sorry about your illness and wish you nothing but the best! I enjoyed reading your blog and will be back to visit.

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  16. What a wonderful reminder of the importance of being an organ donor. I've already signed up to be an organ donor.

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  17. Wow, two organ recipients in one family. Thank goodness for modern medicine and it's miracles. Great post.

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  18. My 11 year old son and I were discussing this topic. It was important for him to understand that if we are willing to recieve we should be willing to give. Thanks for writing this important message. lrk

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