Thanksgiving is an interesting holiday. It originated years ago when Native Americans and the early settlers celebrated a good harvest. In modern days, most of us do not raise crops to sustain us throughout the winter months, so Thanksgiving has become more of a time to reflect on those things we have been most thankful for during the year.

Nationally, supporters of organ donation celebrated the fact that 100 million people in the United States have registered their wishes to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. On a more individual basis, some recipients and donor family members took a minute to express thanks for donation and the difference it has made in their own lives.

One man celebrated 15 years of life with a heart transplant by entering a bowling tournament and telling others about donation. Another man celebrated his 10 year anniversary of a multiple organ transplant with the family of his donor. A family traveled to Utah from out of state to attend the high school graduation of the young woman who received their son’s heart after he passed away.

Organ donation has given people who once had no other hope a reason to celebrate the fact they are able to spend another holiday season with their families. It has also given families who have lost a loved one some comfort in knowing their decision meant the world to someone else. This Thanksgiving, I’m going to take a minute to look around my dinner table and give thanks for those who mean everything to me.

Tags: donate life, donor registry, gratitude, Intermountain Donor Services, organ, organ donation, organ donor, Thanks, transplant, utah, yes utah, yesutah

This entry was posted on Friday, November 18th, 2011 at 11:53 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.