So often we are enveloped in the presents, food and just making sure everything is PERFECT for our Christmas holidays. We find ourselves stressed and frazzled and finding it difficult to just relax and be thankful for the family and friends we are surrounded by.
I will admit I too get lost in "finding the perfect gift" and making sure we spend equal time with all sides of our families and it becomes rather stressful...yet each year I'm always reminded what the true meaning of the season is. Without going into my specific religious beliefs, and remembering that there are many religious holiday's that happen in the cold winter months, the basis of each is: giving, kindness, love, and the goodness of man.
I had a dear friend send me an email on Monday about a young man from Cedar Rapids, Iowa who possesses all of the characteristics above! The following story was on a Cedar Rapids news station on Dec 16, 2009:
CEDAR RAPIDS - How far would you go to help out a friend on Facebook?
Would you be willing to donate an organ?
A Cedar Rapids man is scheduled for a kidney transplant tomorrow morning at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Instead of the usual process of getting on the donation list, the recipient's son put out the call on Facebook -- and found a donor.
Nick Etten, 24, of Cedar Rapids may be the ultimate Facebook Friend of 2009.
"I've always felt like - since day one - it's the right thing to do," said Etten, the day before he is allowing surgeons to cut a kidney out of his body.
John Burge has had polycystic kidney disease (PKD) for 16 years. Two years ago, a doctor said eating right and exercising were not enough anymore.
"My doctor said, 'it's time to put you on the wait list', " said John Burge, 50, of Cedar Rapids.
Looking for something, anything to help out, Matthew Burge put out a call on his Facebook page for a new kidney for his dad.
No luck the first time.
On September 18th, Matthew Burge put out a second post.
"I thought let's just try again and Nick responded within the hour," said Burge, 22, of Cedar Rapids. Nick Etten and Matthew Burge met at Kirkwood years before and stayed in touch.
"I'd never met John until I came here for the blood draws the first time," admitted Etten.
"I heard his name a couple of times before but I had never met him," said John Burge.
"Our job is to make sure no federal laws are broken," said Dr. Alan Reed, head of the University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Transplant Center.
Dr. Alan Reed says it's illegal to buy a kidney.As far he's concerned, there are no laws broken here. He said about 80,000 Americans are waiting on a kidney transplant.
"Clearly people get things out of this," said Dr. Reed. "The act of donating does something for these folks."
Thursday's surgery will definitely do something to Nick Etten and for John Burge.
"I'm a little nervous," said Etten.
On his Facebook page, Matthew Burge said that, on September 14th, he had 'had enough of Facebook!'. Yet, his post, four days later and in need of a kidney donor for his father, is what led to tomorrow.
"I can't thank him enough," Matthew Burge said of his friend. "What he doing is beyond words. "
This disease is genetic. John's late father had it, and his son Matthew is also at risk. Nick Etten admitted some family members are concerned for his safety but he says he's ready to go with tomorrow's surgery.
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From my online research it appears that the transplant was a success!!
"If there's anything I want, I want a little bit of recognition of the genetic disorder that John's been dealing with, my part was easy just get it done," said Etten.
"I mean you think about it it's Christmas and he is pretty much giving my family the greatest gift we could ever ask for," said Matthew Berge.
As he relaxes and recovers, Etten is in pain, but feeling good about his kidney donation that started online
"I know I made a really profound impact on the family and I'm really happy about that," said Etten.
As for advice to others, Etten said if you come across someone in need, do your best and help people out.
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I often think that Living Donation's get forgotten about, but sometimes they are some of the most moving organ donation stories! I commend you Mr. Etten for you epitomize the true definition of compassion!!!
Those last words "do your best and help people out!" can apply to everything we do as fellow human beings! You don't have to donate a kidney to give back or to make the world a better place! Find something you are passionate about and do it! Be a Big Brother or Big Sister, go serve meals at a homeless shelter, read to students over your lunch hour, volunteer for an organization you support. And don't just think about it...DO IT!! If all of us took a moment to be more compassionate (and be in the "holiday spirit" all year) to our fellow human beings, think about what a better world this could be!!
PS. Thanks Alanna for the story lead!!
If you'd like to watch the news videos about Nick and John click on the following links!
