A few weeks ago I went to a Support Group for LVAD patients with the intent of hugging my transplant surgeon who was the featured speaker that day. He never showed. A donor came along, saving another one of his patients so needless to say, he was occupied. I was happy to learn that another miracle happened, even if that meant that my hug would have to wait.
My doctor of seven years was also there talking to the other LVAD patients who are waiting and hoping and watching time pass until their gift comes. I've never heard it described in this way, but he said "Anyone in this room who has received a heart, basically won the lottery!"
In other words - the odds are not good. He went on to say that with seatbelt and helmet laws and modern medicine, the donor pool has been shrinking over the past five years. That is a good thing because people are living longer with their own organs. But where does that leave all of those who are waiting? In the running for the lottery. Every 12 minutes a new person is added to the waiting list.
Even though hundreds of thousands of people like Chloe and Kari have provided the gift of life through a commitment to organ donation, there is still a tremendous need. More than 100,000 people are on the nation's organ transplant waiting list. On average, 16 patients die each day while awaiting an organ.
You hear inspiring stories here because recipients like me won, but I also see those who don't and that thought erodes my soul. It's the reason why I write here, why I talk about Chloe and why I show others through my actions that transplant does work.
Today marks day one of 30 in the month of April - National Donate Life Month. One of the most important decision you can make to honor this celebration is to become a donor and have the potential to save up to 25 people. April means different things to different people - the dreaded federal tax return deadline, Easter, spring flowers, Passover, April showers, spring break, and so on but it also holds special significance to Steve and I and everyone in our web. We applaud, recognize and appreciate our donors everyday and invite you to join the club.
The first step, aside from signing a donor card or indicating organ donor on your driver's license, is to express your decision to be an organ donor with your family. It literally takes five minutes!
