Wednesday, January 14, 2009

WFMW - Donate Life

Welcome to another fabulous edition of Works for me Wednesday, hosted by Shannon over at Rocks in my Dryer. It is only 2pm here on the East Coast and already over 200 people have added in their tips this week. So after you read my tip (and leave a comment!) please head on over to Rocks in my Dryer and get lots of other fabulous tips and ideas.


Those of you who read my blog regularly probably know that my husband's life was saved because of a liver transplant. This was only made possible through the generous gift of life that a family gave after the passing of their loved one. It seems like a scary thing to talk about but it really isn't. Usually when you go in to get your drivers license renewed you can check that little box that says you'd like to be an organ donor. This is the typical way of doing things, but if your family doesn't know of your wishes, they may not want to agree to donation. Just because you have checked that box, it doesn't mean it is going to happen. You need to tell your family and friends that you want to give the gift of life after your death. Making your wishes known will make the decision so much easier on your family if they should ever have to make that decision. You can learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation at the Donate Life America website.


I work with transplant patients now at the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic and I watch as these folks wait and wait for the perfect match. We have been blessed already this year and three of our friends have already received their life saving organ transplant. One gentleman, my tenant, has been waiting for almost 9 years...but only one year of that here at the Mayo Clinic.

I have been an organ donor since the second I got my drivers license, but I have always wanted to be a donor. Little did I know then that my life would be so connected to the process. I can't even imagine how a small child would know about organ donation, but I did. Getting my drivers license, when I turned 16, was truly exciting, but I remember making sure to ask about the organ donation. It was going to be official now...I was an organ donor. It was there, at the licensing office, that I learned that the drivers license decal (that was what we had at the time) didn't guarantee donation. My family knew then and they know now. I just hope that when my time comes I will be able to give someone the gift of life or sight - this type of gift Works for Me!

Thanks for stopping by and please visit the Donate Life website to learn more.
Kristin

6 comments:

GinSpaghetti said...

Hi Kristen, I'm visiting from WFMW and wow... I can't tell you how much this post means to me. I've had something come up and I am looking into kidney donation for a friend. I recently wrote a post about it. http://iseehope.blogspot.com/2009/01/do-something_11.html

Thanks for writing this. :)

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Glad you'll be participating in the Valentine's Day swap. It's going to be FUN! Pleased to meet you!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
"J" said...

I'm soooooooooooooooooooooooo glad you seen my post for the vday swap! I'm also glad you didn't miss out on it!!!

She is going to do a short Q&A - just tell your swap person you don't want candy! =) I know they will be fine with that! I'm going to request the same thing!!!! =) FYI - just in case you get me...no candy!!! lol

I'm soooooooooooooooooooo on a diet!!!! You would NEVER guess how much I weigh!!! I was emailing Leigh the other day and asked her to guess! Let's just say she was WAY OFF!!! lol

If you want to guess email me!
Just remember I'm 5'10"! Also, you won't hurt my feelings with your guess!

I was happy that I was down *2 pounds!

*It was really 1.8 but I left my jacket on!!! =( So I'm going with 2 pounds! HA!

I had pizza last night as an award! =) I still counted my points and I stayed under them!!!! =)

Kristin - The Goat said...

I deleted the comment from Dave because my post was coming from a loving point of view and that comment was a little too angry for my tastes.

GinSpaghetti - You and I have already emailed each other. I'm glad that we will be able to chat and that you are even considering donating to your friend.

Belle - Nice to meet you as well! It'll be fun being in the swap.

J - I love you. You are such a hoot.

Sheila @ Dr Cason.org said...

I've been on the other end, helping the transplant people keep the organs alive after we've signed it off to them. It was humbling. I got a letter a year later telling me who all the parts went to. Again...humbling.