My Donor

As the United Network of Organ Sharing and its various chapters and volunteers spread awareness this month throughout America, I felt impressed to express my own appreciation for my organ donor. I think about this person every day, if not every hour.

Ever since I learned I needed a heart from another human being I felt placed in an odd predicament. Couldn't God tell me who it is before it happened so I might some how intervene and possibly prevent their death? Yet, how could I deny my wife a husband and my little girl a father. Coming to terms with this unique situation was a long and difficult journey I can't explain in words.

I prayed for my donor in the morning and the evenings as I waited for word of a heart from my doctors.

Since my transplant last September, I have grieved my donor's passing like that of my own brother who died while I waited. Some have asked why I didn't receive my brother's heart. He was not my blood type and was unable to donate living organs. We did donate some tissue and bone to help someone walk.

I'm not at liberty to discuss information about who my donor is because of privacy laws and my personal respect to the family who has suffered a great loss.

I believe strongly my donor is an angel of God who chose a path that has blessed the lives of not only my family, my community, but also future generations.

I'm reminded of a verse of scripture in the Bible that reads: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:14) I am forever in his debt and will do all I can to serve others as he has served me.

This month, you can help me spread awareness of organ donation by writing about it on your facebook status, blog, in an e-mail or where-ever you can. Feel free to share my video, the image above, and a link to www.donatelife.net

What Would Brian Do?

(Photos: TOP - Kanab in the 70s with my brothers and Dad. Brian, Dad, Me, David - I'm holding onto Brian; BOTTOM - Brian's Donor Certificate and a statue of a boy running into the arms of a comforting Jesus)

Between my brother Brian and me is my brother David who lives in Las Vegas with his beautiful family as construction manager. He builds things. And he is good at it. After the funeral David had to get home early for some business meetings in L.A.. On his drive home David's cute family stopped at the scene where our younger brother Brian tragically slipped into the next world. David and his gang left some flowers and said a prayer thanking God for Brian.

After arriving home, David went to L.A. for his meetings. He was on his way to the airport when he realized he still had two hours before his flight was scheduled to take off. He said to himself, “What would Brian do? If he had this time?” David said, “That’s right. I’m going to the beach.” He loosed his tie, kicked off his shoes, and got his feet wet. He sat on the shore and observed one of God’s beautiful creations. David found a metaphor in the waves, as they would crash into the shore, some waves crashed harder while others softer. He thought of waves as trials and challenges that continually crash upon us. They don’t stop. They keep coming. For a while they calm but they return. And every now and then there’s a Tsunami.

I’m grateful for what David did in asking, “What would Brian do?” Amidst storms and trials observe the wonderful and beautiful world in which we live and thank God every day for the beauty that surrounds us. Find peace in a sunset. Look for it in the color of the flowers and grass. Go fishing. Climb a mountain. Loosen your tie, kick your shoes off and get wet.

After meeting yesterday with my transplant clinic I learned that the call could come any day now. I am climbing that list and after what my family has been through I will fight like hell to live. Bring it on! And one year from now, June 9, 2010, the anniversary of my brother’s fatal death – with a new heart, a re-birth, I will climb mount Olympus along the beautiful Wasatch front in honor of my brother. He was a beautiful man.

Finally, Brian died before he could donate his organs. But, Intermountain Donor Services (IDS) were able to retrieve some bones and tissue to help someone out there who needs help. I am grateful for this. Our family was given this beautiful certificate with the ironic logo, “Donate Life.”

For more information on organ donation visit:
www.donatelife.net/