As we mark our 10 year anniversary of working at Lifeline of Ohio’s Dash for Donation, we invite you to join us to be part of the inspiration for organ, eye, and tissue donation in downtown Columbus on Saturday morning, July 13.

The old adage says, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

The 2012 Sea of Green photo of nearly 4,000 Dash participants IS inspiration in action.   Whether running or walking, you will be among thousands of miracles in motion:  those who have received the Gift of Life through a heart, liver, lung, kidney, pancreas, small bowel, eye or tissue transplant; those families whose deceased loved one generously gave the gift of life; and those who have given unselfishly as living donors.  Picture yourself as part of such an amazing sea of people—the Dash for Donation Sea of Green!

The 2012 Dash “Sea of Green” in downtown Columbus.

You will be inspired additionally by the hand-written and decorated messages on the racing bibs worn by participants, personalizing how donation has impacted their lives.  Margaret’s personal message is: “10th Anniversary…I walk for Larry…my donor…my hero.”   Undoubtedly, the most treasured inspiration will be found on the Donor Remembrance Wall, where donor families display posters with photos and messages to honor their loved one’s gift.

Phil and Margaret Petrosky’s team walks for Larry, Margaret’s donor, at the Dash for Donation.

The inspiration in witnessing  thousands of Heroes on Foot is plenty of fun, too.  See the bright eyes and wide smiles and hear the laughter as the Dash kicks off with the Kids and Mascot Dash. Following the mascot dash, the 1K family fun walk kicks off and features a new Arena District route to leisurely walk and talk with family and friends.  Finally, with runners first and walkers close behind, the 5K main event  ventures through the Arena district into the Scioto Mile, loops through north downtown on High Street and finishes back in the Arena District to the roar of cheers from organ, eye and tissue donation believers.  The festivities don’t stop there! The Dash creates its own party in the Batelle Plaza with a street fair featuring food and beverages for participants and offering plenty of time to hear why Dash participants believe in the power of donation.

This year’s Dash features a newly designed “Sea of Green” T-shirt where you can check off your connection to organ, eye, and tissue donation: your personal inspiration.  Please join us for the 2013 Dash for Donation and register today. Don’t forget to take advantage of the “I’m a Hero” rate by registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor before you sign-up!

Registration for the Team Challenge closes May 23 so don’t wait! 

Be the inspiration for organ, eye, and tissue donation!
Phil and Margaret Petrosky

I remember the first time I saw Ian. He was five years old with curly blonde hair, a mini version of his father. Ian and his dad were passing me in the hallway at our workplace. Ian looked at me with big blue-green eyes and then, in a flash, ran to catch up with his dad.

A family photo of Ian’s father Christopher, Ian, Chrisitan and Megan taken one month before the accident.

Ian’s dad and I married in 2006 and even with Ian’s asthma, I would learn that running was a constant theme in his life.

Eight years later, after a horrific electrical accident while on vacation in Virginia, Ian was pronounced brain dead at the hospital.  Ian’s dad told me he wanted to donate Ian’s organs. The strength of mind Ian’s father had in that moment to pass hope on to others in need while his heart was torn to pieces is something I am still in awe of to this day. On July 23, 2010, Ian became an organ and tissue donor.

After Ian’s memorial service here in Ohio, his aunt mentioned perhaps organizing a 5K in Ian’s memory to honor the inner “cheetah” athleticism Ian showed. Many expressed interest but as a stepmom I felt the task was too daunting for us. Less than a year later, it was someone at work who brought the idea alive by passing along a flyer to me about the Dash for Donation. A perfect fit, I showed the flyer to Ian’s dad and we agreed to put together Team Cheetah to honor Ian’s love and success of being active. To us, the countless people who registered for our team were like people repeatedly saying, “I remember Ian.” 

Friends and family form Team Cheetah to honor Ian at the 2012 Dash for Donation.

The Dash for Donation was clearly more than just a race. It was humbling to see how many lives could be touched by one person. As I hung a homemade collage of Ian with photos of him running and memorable quotes for the Dash’s Wall of Remembrance, I passed other posters. I passed other families who were like us. I saw people who had received organ and tissue transplants or knew someone who had. People who were waiting, people who’s loved ones were waiting.  I stepped outside of our own grief and saw the hope of others. We were all at the Dash to honor and respect. We were all there to celebrate life.

Up until the Dash for Donation in 2012, I was not a registered organ donor. After the Dash, I immediately registered because seeing recipients’ lives changed by donation, it was impossible to ignore the importance of the gift of life. Ian is not here with us but there are many people who are here because of Ian. Through the Dash for Donation, Ian’s legacy lives on and we recognize him as the hero he continues to be. Ian is one of the largest influences on my life – he helped me realize we are all in this together and we can have an effect while we are here and even after we are gone.  The Dash for Donation allowed us to run on “Cheetah Strong.”

We hope you register for the Dash for Donation so you too can witness the power of one. Register as an organ, eye and tissue donor today and take advantage of the “I’m a Hero” rate.

May is National Electrical Safety Month. For the sake of your loved ones inspect and replace any old or damaged cords with new ones. Never tape or repair them yourselves.

Older Americans make up 33.2 million of the United States population today and live longer lives thanks to advancements in medical technology.[1] As years extend and the retirement age of 65 stays the same, older Americans have more time than ever to make every day count. But for 18 people every day waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, time is running out.

May is Older Americans Month, an opportunity to dispel the age myth keeping those 65+ from registering as organ, eye and tissue donors.

While 55 percent of people in central and southeast Ohio make the decision to donate, these same Ohioans take themselves out of the Ohio Donor Registry as they get older. Only 40.8 percent of these residents 65 and older are registered donors today.

Some of the reasons that keep older people from registering include the following:

“I can’t be an organ donor. I have diabetes, cancer, etc.”

No medical condition should prevent you from registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor. At the time of death, trained organ recovery professionals will review your medical history to determine if donation is possible.  Recent advances in transplantation have allowed for more people to be eligible donors.  For example, people with diabetes can donate; people who have had cancer, but have been cancer-free for five years, can be donors; and people with poor eyesight can donate their corneas.

“You don’t want my organs. They’re too unhealthy, too damaged, etc.”

People waiting for a transplant are typically much sicker than anyone considering registering in the Ohio Donor Registry. Medical professionals and clinical teams evaluate all organs and tissues to be sure only strong, healthy organs and tissues are used to save lives.

“My organs are too old to be used.  Only young people can be organ, eye and tissue donors.”

More than 117,500 Americans are on the national waiting list right now waiting for their last chance at survival: a transplant. Without heroes who register as organ, eye and tissue donors, these people will die.  For a candidate waiting whose organ has failed, organs recovered from older Americans can be transplanted to extend that patient’s life. There are no age limits for donation.  The oldest organ donor in the U.S. was 92 at the time of death.

You’re never too old to donate.

Say Yes. Unleash your power at any age. Register as an organ, eye and tissue donor today at your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) location or online by clicking here. For ideas on how to unleash your power, visit the Older Americans Month webpage  and check out our Pinterest board and read below for personal testimonials on how Older Americans in central and southeast Ohio have saved lives.

Testimonials

Robert Sills saved lives as an organ, eye and tissue donor at the age of 65. 

Barb stands with her husband’s quilt square on “The Power of One,” pictured in the top left.

Donor wife Barb says you’re never too old to donate. 

“After Robert retired, and with a number of health problems, he was still able to donate several organs, both of his corneas and tissue,” Barb said. “Even if you can just donate your corneas, know that’s important. I became an organ donor after Robert’s death because I saw how many people his organs, corneas and tissue were able to help and the huge need for organ donors.” 

Barb said she was surprised when she heard older Americans were taking themselves out of the Ohio Donor Registry when they hit age 65. “Don’t re-evaluate what you can contribute as your age,” Barb said. “Know your decision to register as a donor can save lives!”  

At the age of 52, Larry Napier saved lives as an organ, eye and tissue donor.

Larry Napier saved lives as an organ and tissue donor in 2004.

Donor wife Kathleen says you’re never too old to donate.

“A loving husband, Larry gave the gift of life when he became an organ and tissue donor,” Kathleen said.

“At the age of 52, he saved two lives through organ donation and healed more than 50 others through tissue donation. You’re never too old to register as a donor and save lives!”

Written and released in three sections, Tyler will share parts of his story April 1, May 1 and June 1, 2013 on our blog in the months leading up to the 2013 Dash for Donation on July 13. Read on for the second part of Tyler’s story:

Part One

When I was a freshman in high school, I made the varsity cross-country team. While naturally talented, I hated running. I didn’t know at the time my new neighbors, two cool, older boys and our strong friendship would give me a reason to run.

The new boys across the street invited me to hang out that year, and instantly I felt like part of their group. From that point on, I was with them all the time. Jordan was the younger of the two and I naturally gravitated toward him. Jordan took me under his wing and was the big brother I never had.  Students in school began to think we were brothers, so we went along with it. Jordan took me to school every day, picked me up from practices and we hung out every weekend. I felt so cool to be allowed in the same car with him, let alone be someone he called his brother.

Running, however, was not going as smoothly as my building friendship with Jordan. I did everything in my power to not run at practice. I’d hide with friends when my coach would tell me to run, behavior present not just in running but in all aspects of my life. I carelessly went through the motions of life.

Unfortunately, it took a tragic phone call to change my careless attitude.

Part Two

It was Sunday morning, way too early. The frantic sound of my dad’s voice told me to get up because Jordan had gotten into an accident. I got up and walked outside but thought he’s got a broken bone maybe, some bumps and bruises, no big deal. The awkward hug my mom and dad gave me made me uncomfortable. My parents said Jordan was in a bad accident. He hit his head and was in the hospital. I sat in the back of the car speechless, not knowing what to think, do, say or act. At the hospital, I couldn’t immediately gather the courage to go see Jordan, so I sat in a corner of the room thinking with my head down. There is no way this is supposed to happen, I thought, he’s going to be fine; he’s my brother. Thankfully, Jordan gave me strength to get up out of my chair and be with him during his last moments.

Tyler with the Cannon family.

Jordan died that day and gave the greatest gift of life: he was an organ, eye and tissue donor.

The next 24 hours were very strange. Jordan’s absence left me feeling bare and empty inside. I went to a school gathering for Jordan with about 200 people in attendance but I didn’t understand how people were crying and sad when they didn’t even know Jordan. If they are feeling this, I thought, what should I be feeling? I didn’t know the answer. Stepping out of the car on the way home, I broke down in a wave of emotion. I quickly composed myself because I was so scared to let my friends and family see me vulnerable. That day, I knew I couldn’t hold everything in.

Running came to my rescue.

 Stay tuned for the third part of Tyler’s Heroes on Foot journey, posted June 1. Want to be a hero of donation? Register now as an organ, eye and tissue donor.

In the month of April, Lifeline of Ohio awarded a total of seven 2012 “Organ, Tissue and Eye Donation Front Line Awards” to BMV locations in its service area.  Lifeline of Ohio coordinated the award presentations on behalf of Donate Life Ohio, representing all of the organ, tissue and eye recovery agencies in the state of Ohio.  Agency winners either had the highest organ, eye and tissue donation registration rates in their BMV District or the greatest improvement in their BMV District of people saying “yes” to organ, eye and tissue donation.

“On behalf of the Donate Life Ohio Council, we are honored to recognize these Deputy Registrars for their outstanding efforts on the front lines of saving and enhancing lives,” said Lauren Fitting, Lifeline of Ohio community outreach and partnership coordinator. “All of our deputy registrar agencies are an integral part of our mission. We are very pleased to recognize these seven agencies in particular for their dedication and hard work.”

These awards are as much a commendation of the generosity and compassion of the citizens of the community as they are to the outstanding commitment of the BMV Deputy Registrar locations that serve them.  

The Powell BMV Agency received the “Best in the State of Ohio” Frontline award for achieving a 77.29 percent registration rate in 2012.

The “Most Improved in the State of Ohio” Frontline Award was presented by volunteers to the Westpointe BMV Agency for improving their registration rate from 52.3 percent in 2012 to 59.3 percent in 2012.

The Pickerington BMV was awarded the “Best in District 2″ Frontline Award for acheiving a donor registration rate of 64.4 percent.

The “Best in District 5″ Frontline Award went to the Hayden Rd. BMV Location for acheiving a 73 percent donor registration rate in 2012.

The Barnesville BMV Location received the “Most Improved in District 2″ Frontline Award for improving their donor registration rate from 46.9 percent in 2011 to 49.9 percent in 2012.

The Kenton BMV Agency was awarded the “Most Improved in District 4″ Frontline Award for improving their donor registration rate from 53.2 percent in 2011 to 55.9 percent in 2012.

The “Most Improved in District 5″ Frontline Award was presented to the Alum Creek BMV Location for improving their donor registration rate from 50.3 percent in 2011 to 53.9 percent in 2012.

The award presentations coincided with National Donate Life Month, providing Lifeline of Ohio with an opportunity to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation and the lives saved by donors. 

To learn how you can register as an organ eye and tissue donor, click here.