ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS SPEECH – NATIONAL DONOR SABATH WEEKEND Jackie McAllister
You may have seen the bumper sticker “don’t take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here.” I will expand upon the importance of this statement. I am the oldest of 7 and two of my 4 brothers have received 3 kidney transplants. Kevin, 62, received his first 36 years ago from our sister Karen and his second 27 years ago from our brother Brian. He lives in Phila.. Mike, 54 received his transplant from a friend Barrie 18 years ago. He lives in Ft Washington and is doing well. All 3 of the donors, Karen, Brian and Barrie are healthy and don’t have any long-term consequences as a result of being a kidney donor. I am truly grateful that three people gave my brothers the gift of life so that their lives could continue and they could be here for many more holidays, birthdays and life events with us. Organ and tissues donation is a sign of charity, love and self-sacrifice. It is morally and ethically acceptable. Here’s how you can help:
When you renew your driver’s license or state ID, check off “Organ Donor” Go to www.donors1.org to register as a donor. Make sure your loved ones are aware of your organ donation intentions. Important information about organ donation: Over 123,000 people across the US including more than 6,000 people in the Phila. Area and 8,000 in the state of PA are listed for an organ transplant on the National organ transplant waiting list with thousands more awaiting corneal and tissue transplants There’s no charge to the donor’s family or estate; – Your decision to donate at the time of your death will offer hope to others whose lives can be saved or enhanced through transplantation.
There is no age limit for organ donation – Buying or selling organs is illegal; you can be assured that your organ will be handled appropriately. Most major religions, including the Catholic church, approve of organ and tissue donation. You can’t be an organ and tissue donor AND donate your body to medical science—you must choose on or the other. Organs for transplant include the heart, kidney, pancreas, lungs, liver and intestines. Tissues such as bones, ligaments and tendons are needed for important surgical procedures to repair diseased joints and bones. Corneas, heart valves and skin can also be donated. You can designate an organ to be donated to a relative or friend in need. When donor organs become available, the organ procurement organization. Gift of Life provides information about the donor and the organs. Waiting list patients in the local area of the donor are given priority. Excluded donors are those with HIV or cancer that is spreading. One liver can be donated to both an adult and a child; up to 8 organs and over 100 tissues can be donated by one person. Most transplants are covered by health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. Donation doesn’t alter your body or delay funeral arrangements. Each day 21 people in the US die waiting for organ transplants. You may not know anyone on the list waiting for a transplant. You may never know anyone that needs a liver or kidney or heart. But they all have parents, maybe grandparents, children, spouses and friends that care about them. And you can help ensure that they will be around longer for their loved ones. Look at your calendar. What do you have that’s more important than helping someone live longer? Why wait until you die to help someone. Living donors are also needed and donors who receive a living organ have a longer life span with the organ. If given the opportunity, Barrie would donate again although she can no longer donate a kidney. I encourage you to say “yes” to organ donation and to keep the thousands of people on the waiting list in your prayers.
Father Devlin