DID YOU KNOW that one person has the power to save eight lives through organ donation and heal 125 more through tissue donation? Start the new year off right by saying “yes” to organ, eye, and tissue donation!
Donation has forever changed the lives of Life Connection of Ohio volunteers Bill Albert, Kevin and Kim Oxender, and Jeff Abke.
Bill Albert
Primary biliary cirrhosis caused Bill’s liver to fail. He was on oxygen 24 hours a day and could not do more than 10 minutes of gardening before having to rest. He took an artistic welding class where he built a torii, a traditional Japanese gate often found at shrines, but he did not have the energy to finish it, so it was rusting in his garage.
But on July 21, 2010, Bill received a life-saving liver transplant, and “within 72 hours of my surgery, everything I had been enduring was gone,” Bill said. He immediately had energy that he had not felt in years. Bill started biking 10-20 miles regularly and could garden for hours with ease. He finished the torii and “dedicated it to my blessed liver donor. The garden is a living testimony to the gift of life I received from that person,” Bill said. The torii is at home in Bill’s lush garden, which looks like a tropical scene in the Caribbean. Every time Bill looks at his garden, he is reminded of the beauty of the gift of life.
Kevin and Kim Oxender
Kevin and Kim’s son, Kaleb Mc-Laughlin, always wore a smile and jumped at the chance to do anything for anyone. Tragically, Kaleb died on June 24, 2013, just 20 days after his 20th birthday. When Kevin and Kim learned that Kaleb was a registered organ, eye, and tissue donor, they were grateful that they knew his wishes and did not have to make that decision on his behalf.
Kaleb enhanced the lives of countless others through tissue donation. Kevin and Kim received a letter from one of Kaleb’s recipients—a professional football player—who was able to resume what he loved because of Kaleb’s gift of donation. “If Kaleb had not been able to give, I don’t think we would have had some of the healing that we’ve had. It would seem so final. To me, it’s not final because part of my son lives on, and that’s comforting,” Kevin said.
Jeff Abke
The rapidly thinning cornea of Jeff ’s right eye was causing him to slowly go blind. No glasses or contacts could help the keratoconus causing the problem. But everything changed on May 17, 2012, when Jeff received a sight-restoring cornea transplant. Jeff thinks of his donor and donor family often. “A day with a drastic improvement to my quality of life may be the worst day for someone else’s family. That was not lost on me,” he said. Jeff is most thankful that his gift of sight allows him to clearly see his son and daughter grow up.
Although the community is largely supportive of organ, eye, and tissue donation, misconceptions about donation exist and sometimes prevent people from registering as donors. Many misconceptions are perpetuated on medical drama television shows, where some writers do not let the facts get in the way of a good dramatic story. Life Connection of Ohio encourages everyone to learn the facts so they are armed with accurate information before making their personal donation decisions.
Will doctors try to save my life if I am a registered donor?
Yes. Every effort will be made to save someone’s life, regardless of their choice to donate. The medical staff dedicated to saving lives at hospitals is separate from those who coordinate donation. It is only after all life-saving efforts have been exhausted that donation becomes an option.
Can I still have a viewing if I donate?
Yes. Organ recovery surgery is a very careful, respectful procedure, and if an open-casket funeral was possible before donation, it should be possible afterward.
Is my religion against donation?
Probably not. All major religions in the United States either encourage donation, viewing it as a generous last act of charity, or leave the decision up to the individual.
Can rich or famous people buy their way to the top of the waiting list?
No. The national transplant waiting list exists because everyone must wait on it, regardless of wealth or celebrity status. The only way to move to the top of the waiting list is to be extremely sick.
Will there be a cost to my family if I donate?
No. All costs associated with donation are the responsibility of the organ procurement organization.
Am I too old or too sick to donate?
Not necessarily. The oldest organ donor was 98, and people with histories of diabetes, cancer, and other diseases have still been able to give the gift of life. It is important to register as a donor regardless of age or health conditions, as medical professionals will determine whether organs are healthy enough to transplant after death.
The truth is that everyone has the potential to leave a life-saving legacy through organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Life Connection of Ohio is the non-profit organization that serves families and saves lives through organ donation in northwest and west central Ohio. To learn more about organ donation or to say “yes” to saving lives, visit lifeconnection. org. Kara Steele is Director of Community Services for Life Connection of Ohio.
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