Monday, August 25, 2014

Happy "20th" Birthday, Dad!


Today is a tremendous milestone for my family. 
It marks the 20th anniversary of my dad's organ transplant. 


 
On August 25, 1994 my dad received a successful liver donation from a sixteen year old teenager who had been killed in a car accident.  It was because of that family's unselfish generosity that we have been able to enjoy 20 more healthy and happy years with my dad. 

Kurby's Wedding 2004

The transplant literally provided him with a second chance at life.  My dad walked his children down the aisle at two weddings.  He became 'Grandpa Dewey' to four grandchildren.  He retired as a seasoned Colonel in the army; established a second career with the American Red Cross and now enjoys retirement at our local hardware store.  And, this summer, he celebrated 45 years of marriage to my mom. 

Christmas, 2011 with Vivster

Happy 45th Wedding Anniversary, 2014


The benefits of organ donation are endless.  Not just for my family but for thousands of others. 

Last year alone, organ donors made more than 28,000 transplants possible. Another one million people received cornea and other tissue transplants that helped them recover from trauma, bone damage, spinal injuries, burns, hearing impairment and vision loss.

Every 10 minutes, a new person is added to a donor waiting list.

On average, 80 people a day receive a transplant; but 18 die because the lack of eligible donors. 

Unfortunately, the gap between donors and recipients continues to widen.  (For example, in 2013, there were 121,272 people on the wait list and only 28,954 transplants).

I don't usually use Vivid Hue Home as a place for PSA's, but each year on the anniversary of my dad's transplant, I take the opportunity to share these important statistics.  I can't imagine how different my life would have been these last few decades without my dad.  And luckily, because of that one family's act to help save lives through organ donation, I don't have to!

Please consider being a donor if you aren't already.  You can register here in your specific state. 




(All statistics quoted in this post are from the US Department of Health and Human Services Organ Donor site here). 


#organ #organtransplant #organdonation #organdonor #donateorgans #savelives







4 comments:

Junell said...

Happy Birthday to your adorable Dad! Such a great story & good for you to bring awareness to this topic.

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

Happy Birthday to your Dad, and for highlighting how wonderful transplants can make someones life!

designchic said...

What an amazing story and wonderful day to celebrate…happy "20th" to your dad!!

Merci-Notes said...

Happy Birthday to Your Dad! 20 YEARS!!! YEA!
Happy anniversary to your Mom & Dad..45 Blessed!!!

Our Daughter just received a Kidney this April! Her kidneys were suddenly attacked by her immune system (at age 27)... In her case it will not attack the new one.
We moved to a new state when She was in the 5th grade and immediately made best friends with two lovely girls. One of them donated!!! Best friends so far for over 20 years! How blessed we are also.
*family/extended family members all tried but could not donate. She was on dialysis just over 2 years.

Thank You to all donors and those who are registered.

With Kindness,
Mary