Today we bring you the fourth session of our “Ask the Donor Experts!” feature, addressing myths, concerns, or any questions related to organ/tissue donation. The idea of making a commitment to be a donor can be a point of concern for some that are weary of registering. For many, the decision seems obvious, but for others, the sheer nature of having to make a commitment to save lives can seem overwhelming. We turn to Dave Bosch, Chair of Donate Life Illinois and Director of Communications at Gift of Hope to address the question submitted below.
A: Absolutely! The decision to join the Illinois organ/tissue donor registry is an important one. As a registered donor, you can alleviate the burden on your family of wondering what you were thinking and of making that decision for you in a time of grief. And you will make it known that you intend to save lives through donation.
Remember: One person’s decision to donate can enhance and save the lives of more than 25 people.
As always, it is important to discuss your donation decision with your family.
Make a commitment you won’t regret, register today!
Dave Rocks… And he’s so very right!
The beautiful 17-year-old girl who saved my life, Kari, was healthy as a horse. She was a star athlete and was out running days before she passed… Two times in the month before she passed, she let her family know how strongly she felt about organ donation. I can’t imagine the pain and devastation they experienced when she passed – but knowing how she felt about donation must have been fresh on their minds. She was very special, and I don’t know why a precious 17-year-old girl would be vocal about a topic like that… But I’m alive because she was. I think about her every day – her beautiful smile crosses my mind throughout the day, every day.
Many of us know that organ donation is a good thing – that it saves lives. We might know that we want to become donors when we leave this beautiful planet, and we might assume that our families know how we feel. But it’s not always the best to assume that the people who love us understand how we feel about things like organ donation – and when we’re thrust into a devastating situation, our thoughts and decisions may not be as clear as we’d like them to be. Dave is right – signaling your intent now means one less burden for the people who care about you and are grieving for you at a time when there are already too many burdens. And they’ll also know how much you care about others.
I think about an amazing girl who let her family know how she felt – I think about her and her family daily. Be amazing and let your family know how you feel – register.