Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

Organ Donors

    It's funny, we never talk about dying, yet death is as much a part of life as living.  We're all going to die; some sooner than others, but death is inevitable.  And yet we go through life as if we are somehow immune.  Most of us plan our lives carefully, but never give a thought to planning our deaths.  Maybe if we stopped trying to deceive ourselves, we could make better decisions.  Maybe we'd live life better, love more, give more.  Maybe we'd get our priorities in order before time runs out.  Maybe we'd acknowledge the fact that when you die, you're dead.  At least to this world.  We come in to this world with nothing and no matter what we acquire, we go out the same way.  But each of us has the opportunity for one final moment of glory; one last way to truly make a positive difference in this sometimes crummy world.  We can become organ donors.

     Look, why not?  In Heaven, we don't need them.  God's giving us new, perfect bodies.  I'm glad too, cause this earthly one has a few flaws I'd like to get rid of.  When we die, this body we've worn during our time on earth is of no use to us at all.  Especially, when there are thousands of children, men and women who don't have to die.  They will most likely live if an organ donor is found.  A second chance at life is just beyond their grasp because we are afraid to part with organs that are no longer needed.

    This page may well rank as the least popular in my "web home".  I'm sorry for that, but I hope it is one of the most read.  Because if just one person makes the decision to become an organ donor when their end comes, it will be worth it.  I know what loss is and I know the gut wrenching, heart tearing pain that comes with the loss of someone you love. I've been in enough ICU units and have chased enough ambulances to last my lifetime.  The thought of entering another funeral home or taking flowers to another grave site makes me ill.  But unless the next funeral is mine, I will probably be doing it again someday.  And when that time comes, I have two prayer requests; let them die as peacefully as possible and let their bodies be healthy enough to be organ donors.  

     When Jennifer was diagnosed with AML leukemia in 1994, they promised a cure for  leukemia by the year 2000.  It is now well into 2007 and we are not closer now than then.  Childhood cancer strikes indiscriminately and unexpectedly.  It causes extreme pain and suffering.  And I wonder how many more children must die before something is done.

     In the United States alone in 2005 approximately 9,510 children under the age of 15 were diagnosed with cancer.  About 1,585 of these precious children will die!  This makes cancer the leading cause of death by disease among U. S. children from one to fourteen years of age.  It is imperative we spread the word and get the attention of our government officials on every level. 

Blood and Platelet Donors

     We have learned one of the best ways to heal is to reach out to others.  The needs of the world are far too many to list here, so I'm listing the ones dearest to my heart.  If you truly believe one person cannot make a difference, please go back to In Search of Blessings and read it again.

     When a child or adult is diagnosed with cancer, the treatments can be almost as bad, if not worse than, the disease.  Chemotherapy destroys the good cells along with the bad, resulting in the need for blood and platelet transfusions to sustain the life of the patient.  I lost count of the number of pints of blood and platelets Jennifer needed on an almost, daily basis.  If you multiply that mind boggling number by the number of patients receiving chemotherapy on a daily basis; the numbers would blow your mind.  Unfortunately, the need cannot be changed.  But the number of available units of blood and platelets can.  And you have the power to do it.  If you feel you are too squeamish to donate blood because you have a fear of needles, go by your nearest cancer center and watch them do a spinal tap or draw marrow out of a cancer patient.  Look at the IV's pouring into their body with antibiotics, fluids, chemotherapy and other life sustaining fluids and then tell me you hate needles.  If you are too busy, make that same visit.  Watch how time stopped for those patients and realize their days are now consumed with the battle for life.  Donating blood and platelets takes precious little time when you consider you are giving life to another human being.  It doesn't cost a thing to donate blood, except your time.  And in the big scheme of things, that's not worth so much when you consider everything.  The American Red Cross has donor centers or locations throughout the world. Clink on the link below for centers near you and more helpful information.

     Organize your own blood drive.  Invite everyone you know; family members, friends, business associates and neighbors; to participate.  Contact the Red Cross in your area to see when they can handle your personal blood drive.  Last year, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to address the graduating class of our local high school regarding blood donations.  We got their commitments and contacted the Red Cross.  They sent their staff to the high school to conduct the blood drive.  I am proud to say, almost every, eligible senior in that wonderful class donated blood - not once, but twice.  They gave in the fall and they came back in the spring.  And I'd bet my life, they'll be back again this year.

     Not sure how to start or have questions.  Please email me now!   Let's get started!

  Click on these links to learn more - Please don't pass them by! 

American Red Cross

or call 1-800-Give Life

Give Life

Bone Marrow Transplants

     Have you ever heard of bone marrow transplants?  Do you know what bone marrow is?  If the answer is no, get on your knees and thank God, for your life has obviously never been touched by the dreaded diseases that can be treated with bone marrow transplants.  But before you get up, ask Him to touch your heart so you will read on and consider becoming a bone marrow donor.

     Somewhere out there, a very sick patient is praying a match will be found  and knowing if it isn't, they will probably be facing certain death.  Somewhere out there, is a family sharing that same prayer.  And right here is one person praying that I am that match.  I would go to almost any extreme to prevent even one more child or one more adult from dying.  We've already lost too many.  It is my daily prayer that no other mother, father, brother, sister or friend  ever has to walk the path we have walked for the past four years.  While I realize that many would say that is an unrealistic prayer, I pray it anyway.  If enough people get on the band wagon and get involved in bone marrow donations, blood and platelet donations and research, who says we can't change the course of this disease.  Why can't 1999 be the year we cure cancer.  But it won't happen if we close our eyes, our minds and our hearts.

     Are you indifferent because you think it could only happen to someone else?  Sorry to disillusion you, but that is a dangerous place to be.  I too believed it could only happen to someone else. In my wildest nightmare, I could never have imagined that a child of mine could be diagnosed with cancer.  But now I know it can.  Cancer can strike anywhere.   It doesn't care how old or young you are, or how rich or poor.  It doesn't care where you live or how you live.  It attacks people of all races, creeds and religions.  It is  deceptive, and often appears so quietly, you are totally unaware of the monster within.  The only guarantee you have of not being affected by this dreaded disease is to find a cure right now.

Bone Marrow Transplants

or call 1-800-Marrow 2

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