Yesterday, KSL and the Salt Lake Tribune reported on the fifteenth anniversary of the Kurt Oscarson Children’s Organ Transplant Fund.  This fund was created in response to the challenges two Utah families faced when their children needed liver transplants.  Both families were struggling to raise enough money to cover the transplants.  A fifth grade class at Crescent Elementary in Sandy decided to help.  They contacted State Representative, Kurt Oscarson and ultimately this fund was created.

At a press conference, both of the mothers involved spoke about what it was like to face the challenges of a very sick child and lack of finances.  At the time, pediatric liver transplants were not done in Utah, so they both needed to travel to Wisconsin.  Their children, now adults, then spoke.

Talysa was only ten months old when she received her liver transplant and she says she feels lucky that she doesn’t remember the transplant or how sick she became.  She has met others who remember how hard and scary it is to need a transplant.  It has been 20 years since her transplant and she is doing great.  She expressed gratitude to her family, neighbors and everyone who makes this fund work.

Caleb was four years old when he had his transplant, but says he doesn’t remember much more about it than Talysa remembers about her transplant.  He is now a healthy 23 year old.  His gratitude was evident as he stated, “I’m grateful to the people who were selfless enough to allow themselves to become donors to give someone else a second chance and I wish to express my gratitude to everyone who has made that choice on their driver license.”   

Donations to the Kurt Oscarson Children’s Organ Transplant Fund can be made on your Utah State Tax Return.  Register as a donor at www.yesutah.org.

Tags: donate life, donor registry, Intermountain Donor Services, Kurt Oscarson Children's Organ Transplant Fund, liver, liver recipient, liver transplant, organ, organ donation, organ donor, transplant, utah, yes utah, yesutah

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