I was in dire need of sleep, but I was hungry, and my stomach was growling so loudly I was afraid it would keep me awake. I stopped to pick up some Chinese food.

A man dressed in work boots, jeans and a flannel shirt was standing in the restaurant waiting for his food and noticed I was wearing scrubs. He saw me and made a face like he had seen something repulsive. “I didn’t think you medical types worked on Saturdays.” I replied that health care was a 24-hour/365-day-a-year kind of job, but I was really thinking, “Of course nurses work on Saturdays!”

He said, “Oh, you want overtime so you can buy more stuff. You must get double time on a Saturday.”

I said that I was more interested in sleep than the money.

Clearly trying yet again to rile me, he asked, “Didn’t anyone ever teach you that there are things more important in life than money?”

Normally I would just smile and walk away, but I couldn’t help myself. “I’ve been awake and working the last 32 hours because I work in organ donation. I worked all night to help save a seven-year-old girl’s life. I didn’t do it for the money. Organ donation teaches you that money doesn’t mean much.”

His demeanor instantly changed. With a big grin, he said, “Oh, you’re an angel!”

I said no, I was just a nurse who happened to work in organ donation.

“No,” he said, “you’re an angel. I got my new kidney two years ago.”

I walked away with a smile on my face and a much-needed reminder of why I do what I do.

- Jen Heisler, organ procurement coordinator

My job as a Community Educator at Lifeline of Ohio allows me to travel throughout Central and Southeastern Ohio and visit health, biology and anatomy classes. Each day is different, but the message is always the same: learn about organ and tissue donation, make your decision, and discuss it with your family. It’s important that students are prepared to answer the question, “Do you want to be an organ donor?” when asked at the BMV.  I feel privileged to get to share the information with them.

Almost every time I’m in a class I get asked about a myth or misconception that a student has seen on TV or heard in the community.  Visiting the classrooms gives me the chance to dispel myths and make sure the students are armed with the facts about donation.

Another great thing about visiting schools is the opportunity for our Donate Life Ambassadors to share their stories. Some days a donor mom or dad will join me and talk about their child’s heroic decision to become an organ donor and the impact it has had on their family. Other days I might have an organ or tissue recipient join me. This allows the students to ask someone who has a personal connection questions about organ and tissue donation. “Do you feel different having a transplanted organ?” “Did it hurt?” “Do you know who you received the organ from?”  “How do you feel about your daughter being an organ donor?” Those are all questions that offer students a chance to learn more about the Gift of Life.

We are scheduling for classes this fall, and we would love to speak to your school!  It is really easy to schedule a program. A teacher can do so online by visiting our teacher section or by calling 1.800.525.5667 ext 332. We are able to tailor our programs to any time frame and several different age groups.

To connect with me and see what I’m up to as I travel around the Buckeye state, visit my facebook page.

I look forward to seeing many new faces as this school year begins!

- Erin Henry, community educator

A more in-depth look at volunteering for Lifeline of Ohio. This workshop teaches you how to participate in health fair and group presentations. Participants must have attended a Level 1 general workshop prior to this session.

For more information:

Lifeline of Ohio Communication Office
760 Kinnear Rd., Second Floor
Columbus, Oh

Donate Life Ambassadors Kate Pollard & Mark Cortez pose with the trophy!

The state who registers the most donors from September 1-November 25, 2010 will win.  If you have thought about becoming a donor, but haven’t taken the steps to do so, this is the perfect time to do it!

We encourage you to learn more about how you can help us beat Michigan (for the fifth year!) by registering as organ, eye and tissue donor by clicking HERE.   You can also show your support for the Buckeyes and for organ and tissue donation by joining our Facebook Fan Page. 

Let’s start a new Ohio State tradition!  Register as a donor and become a Buckeye for Life!

Have you ever asked yourself how you would do things differently if you were given a second chance? This was something I never asked until about two years ago but now I am living out the answer to that question.

My name is Rob West and just about a year ago I received my second chance and a fresh start  through a liver transplant.

Rob with his Harley and Honey Bee

My journey began in 2007. I was diagnosed with pre-cirrhosis of the liver due to scarring. I also developed esophageal varices in my portal vein. This happens when the blood flow to your liver is blocked and the blood backs up and builds pressure in your veins. Sometimes these veins can burst and in June of 2007, that is what happened. I was at home and I wasn’t too worried about it because it had happened before. By the next morning when I my condition didn’t improve, I went to the Emergency Room at Licking Memorial Hospital. It took some time to get everything under control and I realized that my situation would probably get worse before it got better.

In early March of 2009, I went in for a routine cat scan and blood work to monitor my condition. The results that came back changed my life forever. My doctor sat me down and told me that I had stage four liver disease and that I was going to need a liver transplant to survive. I was immediately sent to The Ohio State University Medical Center for treatment. This was such a difficult thought for me to process. I still looked healthy, but I guess that was no indicator for what was really going on inside my body, as it turns out, looks can most certainly be deceiving. After doing some research on my own, I realized how serious my condition was. As the days moved forward and the impending future came to the forefront, my wife and I knew that it was going to take a lot of faith to get through this.

While my wife, Deb, and I relied on our faith to get us through, I couldn’t stop thinking about my children: Aaron, Jonathan, Rachelle and Daniel. They were my whole world. What would they do if I wasn’t around to help them continue through adulthood? I couldn’t bear the thought so I kept pushing though and following every order my doctors gave me and became listed for transplant in June of that same year. I knew time was of the essence.

I received the life-changing call that a liver was available on August 19, 2009. I was at home and the whole situation was surreal. I remember calling my wife, who was at work, and we were both scared and excited at the same time. My wife, mother and I quickly packed our things and headed for Columbus where I was prepped for surgery. While I was waiting for my surgery to begin, I was lucky enough to be able to see my family and visit for a little bit. I was so appreciative for this time, as it helped to calm my nerves. Then, in the early hours of the morning on August 20, 2009, I received my gift.

When I woke up I felt as though I had been hit by a truck. I had been in surgery for eight and a half hours. As I began to wake up from the anesthesia I kept thinking, “This is it. This is the first day of the rest of my life.” I was able to go home just 13 days after my original surgery.

It has been a little more than a year since my transplant and I am amazed at what life has to offer. I have seen my children grow and just saw my son, Aaron, depart for the military. I was able to take a vacation with my wife and I am so happy to say that after 29 years of marriage, this journey has only brought us closer. It has made me value her, my children and my life so much more.

To help pay the gift forward, I have begun volunteering for Lifeline of Ohio. There, I have the ability to express my gratitude for this second chance and to teach others the utmost importance of registering to become a donor. I really enjoy participating in their Live On. Ride On.™ campaign where I can exercise my love for my motorcycles while encouraging people to sign up in the Ohio Donor Registry. I would like to encourage everyone to become a registered organ, eye and tissue donor.  I know that without my donor, without his or her selfless gift, I would not be here today. For that, my wife, my children and I are forever grateful.