Last night my best friend David was given a new heart, thanks to an organ donor. Because of this gift, David will live many more years, and his wife and four children will have their father in their lives, to give them his love and guidance, and to share their joys and sorrows. As with all organ donations, this gift was anonymous. All I know is that it was described by the transplant team members as "a big healthy heart from a 38 year old male". David is now in recovery at his hospital in LA, where he is expected to remain for another week or two. His family is there with him. I will be visiting with him sometime after he is released from the hospital, during his lengthy at home recovery period.
What this donor did was beyond generous. What I imagine (but cannot know) is that the donor's family participated in making this gift. They did so at a time when they were in the period of shock and pain from losing their love one. They were not bound to consent, but did so out of their personal sense of responsibility and kindness to their fellow man. They all sacrificed so that a person who was a stranger to them could live. They did so to make the life of their loved one even more meaningful and important.
Fellow riders, if you have not yet done so, please register as an organ donor. Also, please discuss this decision with your family members and tell them to support your decision if the worst happens to you. Ask them to consider becoming a registered donor as well. Talk to your friends, and ask them to do the same.
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