Donate Life

When I was 11 years old I was diagnosed with an autoimmune liver disease. It was controlled by medication for almost 20 years when the disease progressed into a new disease that was destroying my bile ducts. Shortly after Scott and I were married I was referred to a specialist in Charlotte who told me he thought I would probably need a transplant within 2-5 years. And, exactly 2 years later I found myself starting the listing process. So many "God" things happened during the next year I couldn't possibly write about them all. I was 1 point away from NOT being listed, I was told I'd probaby wait at least 18 months and I got "the call" 5 weeks later. I was at church when the call came and because the UNOS (United Network of Organ Sharing) system was down and my donor was on life support, it gave all of my family time to get to the hospital before surgery began. Those are just a few of those "God" things...




I may never know who my donor was or anything about their life or death, but I will forever be grateful for the greatest gift they and their family could have given me. Not only MY life but the life of a very beautiful, compassionate, yet "spirited" little girl. Because if I weren't here, she wouldn't be either. And so today, we celebrate the 7 year anniversary of a second chance at life, a chance to be a wife and a chance to be a mother.

If you would like to be an organ donor or have any questions about being a donor, please visit this site http://organdonor.gov/ . You can find answers to all your questions there and sign up to receive an organ donor card. Please let your family know your wishes, in many states that little donor symbol on your driver's license only expresses YOUR wishes and family members still have to make the final decision for you. Don't take your organs to Heaven, God knows who needs them on Earth!