Grateful for the Gift
Last week I met one of our donor mothers and Donate Life Ambassadors. I was called to stop by the Communications department to meet her because she lives in my small town and although I have heard her name many times I had not had an opportunity to introduce myself.
Dorrie and her children: Nick, Caroline and Grace
When I went over to say hello we quickly began talking about her son and how he tragically lost his young life just a few weeks before his high school graduation. I was so touched that she shared with me how each morning when she wakes one of her first thoughts is that she has to face another day without her son. As a mother I can only imagine what that must be like, it’s a parent’s worst nightmare.
And yet this mother, like so many of the mothers and fathers I have met through my journey at Lifeline of Ohio, has turned her unbearable grief into so many positives for others. The first step of course was supporting her son’s desire to be a donor, and then beyond that, her decision to connect with our organization to help us educate others about the importance of organ and tissue donation.
Meeting her reminded me that although we often speak about the gift the recipients receive, in a small way donor families get a gift too. They know that their loved one did something amazing in their death by helping others. I know that the sadness this mother feels will always be present, but I am so grateful for her and all of our donors’ mothers and fathers who choose to honor their children by sharing their time and stories with us. It is so truly special.
Dorrie Dils, chief clinical executive, Lifeline of Ohio
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