Tuesday’s Tale – A New Purpose
By Sara Brown, Donor Family
I never thought my dad’s death would influence the career path I took in college, the opportunities I received and ultimately where I would end up working. Thanks to my dad, five people received the “Gift of Life” – and I ended up with a purpose.
When I was a junior in high school, I was in marching band. I was blessed to have parents who were my number one fans – always helping out the band when they could and supporting me. After winning grand champions at our first competition of the season, my dad found me, gave me a huge hug and told me that he loved me and was proud of me. The next morning, my dad had a brain aneurysm that ruptured and despite all the best efforts of medical staff at a local hospital, the following day, he died.
When my mother was asked about donation, she included my brother and me in the decision process. This occurred in 1999, before the Ohio Donor Registry was created and we had never discussed donation together as a family, so we were unsure of my dad’s wishes. Honestly, it was challenging to make the decision at the time because we were facing an unexpected tragedy.
My dad was a “Renaissance man.” He could do just about anything. Help me with my chemistry lab, build a shed, install windows, roast a delicious ham, you name it. He loved being outside, fishing, and hiking. And he was well known for being the first to step up and offer help when needed. Why not add saving lives to the list of things he could do?
We decided that he would want to continue to give after his death. He did so by donating his heart, kidneys, pancreas, and liver and saved five lives on Sept.20, 1999. His gift to others was also a gift to me and my family. We are not only comforted by the fact that he could give in his death, but also grateful that he had the ability to be a hero.
Inspired by my dad, I began promoting donation on campus at The Ohio State University, started the Students for Organ Donation group, and on the 11th anniversary of his donation, I began working as the community education coordinator for Lifeline of Ohio.
I get to share my dad’s story and hopefully it inspires others to give the ultimate gift, the Gift of Life, like my dad did. It is now my personal mission to educate people and encourage them to sign up as organ and tissue donors in the Ohio Donor Registry and talk to their families about donation.
7 Comments »
Belinda Huffman
As wife of Alan Huffman and Mother of Sara Brown I want to share that I have been truly blessed!! My husband of 20 years was a wonderful father, provider and inspiration to many who knew him. We all loved him dearly. My daughter persevered through tough times after losing her father and came out on top with getting to work in a career she is so compassionate about. That makes me not only proud but very happy! We live our life as if we have many tommorrows here on earth. Coincidentally, I work with patients who are hanging barely breath by breath while waiting on a transplant. It is difficult to know that their life is coming to an end and all it would take is possibly one person making his/her wishes known to donate their organs. Please be sure that your loved ones know today of your wishes by signing the donor registration. Be a donor and save lives…a gift that keeps on giving!
Pat Thompson
Sara, I work with your mom, and remember this tragedy. Your story was a wonderful tribute to your Dad. I’m sure he would be very proud of you.
Pat
Edward Leonard
The young lady who wrote this testamony is my niece
I am proud to say…I truely believe things happen for a reason…the timing of which is not in our hands. Its truely the blessed person who is working a job that provides such satisfaction….her unc’ed
Coley Owens
Sara, I am proud to call you my friend. Clearly your father lives on through you as well. I became an organ donor in 1989, when I saw my mother in a hospital room in need of a potential transplant. She was eventually taken off the list, when it was discovered the transplant would not save her. I encouraged her to become a donor, and while its not my profession, I do encourage anyone who will listen to make a decision in life that will help others in the event of your death. I love you dearly Sara!
G Kitty Smith
Sara, is my niece by marriage and I am so very proud of her. I saw the bit on MDTV and now I get to read this wonderful article. I also work in the medical profession as an RN. I too, have seen many who suffer waiting for a transplant or families struggling in the ER to make the decision at a crucial time whether to donate. I also encourage those wishing to donate to make those wishes known either to family, on a donor card or on their driver’s license. In the event of their death, it does help the family in the decision making process. We love you Sara and are truly proud of you and your important role in Life!
Anastasiya Carr
Sara,
This is a beautiful article and I’m sure your father is very proud of you. You’ve touched many lives with what you do and a lot of people look up to you. Your parents did a wonderful job raising such a strong, talented and amazing person as yourself. I am too very lucky to have met you and be able to call myself your friend. Keep up the good work in your father’s name.
Love, Anastasiya.
Cynthia Boulton
Sara,
Thanks for sharing your story. Thanks for going to the High Schools and talking to today’s youth about organ donation. It was nice to meet you this morning 04/02/2011. I will be creating a display at St. Ann’s Hospital using several stories including yours.
Keep up the good work, Cynthia