By Sue Murphy, donor mom
Flowers, candy, cards and hearts. All of these things come to mind when one mentions Valentine’s Day. This year the word HEART is most important to our family.
Last Friday, my husband, Mike, I got to spend some time with our son’s heart recipient, Russ. Our son, Jason, was a registered donor and saved three lives after his death. For the last two years we have joined Russ and family members at OSU’s Ross Heart Center for a Valentine Party for all heart transplant recipients. What a happy time this is! Read More »
By Janie Scarborough, donor mother
I would like to introduce you to an incredible young woman, Sarah Jane Scarborough. She is my only child and my best friend. She brought more joy to my life in 24 years than most people experience in a lifetime. Read More »
Everyone knows we celebrate love in February, but only about half of Ohioans will have a little heart this month. A little heart on their license, that is; declaring that they have registered as an organ and tissue donor. Read More »
I was one of the fortunate ones who did not lose electricity for long during this crazy winter weather. Although I was able to stay warm, I did enjoy a day at home in the middle of the week with my eight-month-old son, Ty, due to poor driving conditions.
During naptime (an all too treasured time of day for mothers) I thought I would catch up on some of my favorite daytime shows I haven’t seen in while. While watching “Days of Our Lives,” I was appalled at one of the current story lines. Read More »
An open letter:
So… here it is the end of January. How many of those New Year’s resolutions have you kept? How about a resolution that will place no demands upon your wallet? This resolution can also make you a HERO – something many of us have always yearned to do.
What am I talking about? Becoming an organ, eye and tissue donor. Every day across America 18 people die awaiting a transplant. As of Jan. 7, 2011 there were 110,112 individuals in the United States awaiting a life- saving organ transplant. Every ten minutes another person is added to the list. Read More »
By Pam Brown, mother of a liver recipient
Emma’s “Ride of a Lifetime” in the 2011 Rose Parade, sponsored by Astellas, is over and what a whirlwind experience it was. Emma and I were lucky to Read More »
By Judy Jackson, kidney recipient
My journey to a kidney transplant was unexpected. As a nurse and a mother I am used to taking care of others and never anticipated that a routine physical would lead to a life-threatening discovery. In 2005 my doctor referred me to a nephrologist, a kidney specialist, after my blood work indicated abnormalities. I learned that my kidneys were only operating at 25 percent capacity and that a transplant was in my future. Read More »
I had been awake and working for almost 32 hours. I’m an organ procurement coordinator and we frequently work 24-hour shifts, but this day had pushed me past my limits. I was beginning to think that I wasn’t cut out for the world of organ donation, that I was too old for what is clearly a young person’s game. At 35, I was the oldest person at our organization who takes a full call schedule. I was exhausted, but instead of feeling exhilarated by the medical miracle I had helped accomplish, I was feeling defeated. I kept thinking, “Why do I do this to myself?” Read More »
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