This letter was written by a mother to her son’s kidney recipient.  With her permission, we have chosen to share this letter in our blog.

My name is Cynthia and I am the mother of Tyrando, whom you received the kidney from.  Although the tragic loss of my son is so heartbreaking, and it still seems so unreal that he is no longer with me in this life, but I know in my heart he is with me in spirit.  I am truly honored on his behalf to have been able to give life to others that are in need.  My son left this life on June 3^rd at the age of 19, and I miss him dearly.  God has blessed you and your family, and that gives me hope and comfort that parts of my son still lives in other people.  I pray that your recovery is successful and you are able to get back in the yard and do the things that you used to do, because being on dialysis isn’t fun for anyone.  In exchange for the gift that was given to you, all I ask is for you to pray for strength for me, his father, and his 2 sisters (age 20 and 8).  God is granting me strength every day so I can take care of some of my son’s unfinished business and bring those things to closure before I return back to work on July 28^th.  He served proudly in the United States Air Force and they have made this whole transition painless by being so accommodating to us because of the pain that we already endure.  The organ that you have received is truly anointed because my son was a True child of God.  May God continue to bless you and your family as you venture on with your new found life that my son has given you.  Take care and get well soon!  I am responding to the letter that was forwarded to me from the Donor Services.

Cynthia

Sunday is Father’s Day.  For some of us, that will conjure up images of a tie, for others it reminds us of good times shared with our fathers.  In my job, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many fathers who have found themselves trying to beat difficult odds.  Just the other day, a father came in to my office with his son who is working on an Eagle Scout project.  The young man chose to raise awareness about the need for people to register as organ donors because his father received a heart transplant and he knows firsthand what that can mean to a recipient’s family.

I also know a father who suddenly found himself as the primary caretaker when his wife went into heart failure and learned that she would need a heart transplant.  Another father sat nervously in a hospital waiting room while two of his adult children underwent surgery.  His daughter was donating a kidney to her older brother.  I have also met a couple of fathers, who during the most difficult time in their lives, looked beyond their own grief over the death of a child and allowed their child’s organs to save the lives of others.

My own father would sacrifice anything for his family and my life is better because of his unselfish dedication.  These fathers have taken what life has offered and used it to make life better for their own families and others.  To all the fathers out there, “Happy Father’s Day.”

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.

The human heart beats, on average, 100,000 times per day.  It does not go on vacation, nor does it take a break.  It knows to speed up when you are exercising and slow down again when you are resting.  But what happens when this magnificent muscle becomes damaged?

            Kirk knows only too well how vital the heart is.  Throughout the years, Kirk had a few serious problems with blood clots, but at age 53, he was feeling great.  He was following an exercise plan and feeling strong.  He had no reason to suspect that on a beautiful summer afternoon, while playing tennis, he would experience a life-threatening heart attack.  Doctors didn’t expect him to survive the night, but somehow he pulled through.  His love of life helped him continue to get through each day as he slowly worked to regain his health and finally become well enough to return to work.

            After a few years, he found himself getting tired easily.  Doctors discovered the damage caused by his heart attack was putting additional strain on his heart and it was beginning to fail.  When his condition worsened, doctors decided to install a heart pump to assist the left side of his heart.  They quickly realized he needed another heart pump to assist the right side of his heart.  The second surgery was done only two days later, on December 23, 2009, and Kirk was told he would not be able to leave the hospital until he received a new heart.

            January 7, 2010, Kirk got his “pass” out of the hospital – a family had said yes to donation and he was able to get a heart transplant.  When he awoke the next day, even with post- surgery pain, and medications, he felt happier than he ever remembers feeling.  The blood circulated in his body in a way it had not done for years; he felt warmer and his feet were back to a healthy color.  “It is an indescribable feeling, knowing I will be with my family for many more years,” says Kirk. 

            Every day approximately 18 people die, waiting for a transplant.  To learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation and to register on the “Yes” Utah Donor Registry, go to www.yesutah.org or call 1.866.YES.UTAH (1.866.937.8824).

High school seniors everywhere are looking forward to graduation and making plans for jobs, college, and dozens of other options that are open to them.  Hali, a high school senior, found out how quickly those plans can be sidetracked.

Last year, Hali was very involved in school and other activities.  She ran every day, played on her high school tennis team, and played the cello in a Youth Symphony.  When it came time to register for her senior year, she elected to take 5 Advanced Placement (AP) classes to give her a head start on her college education. 

Toward the end of her junior year, Hali became sick.  A trip to the doctor reassured her that it was most likely a bad case of the flu and she just needed some rest.  However, the flu-like symptoms worsened and then she had a seizure.  Tests to determine the cause of her seizure showed signs of kidney failure.  Ironically, on the July 4 weekend, when most of us are celebrating our freedom, Hali started her dialysis treatments.

For Hali, dialysis is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and each dialysis session lasts about three hours.  On those days, she attends her first two classes and works with her teachers in her other two classes to get her assignments.  Often the treatments leave her too tired to complete assignments, making more work on the days she doesn’t go to dialysis.

She also discovered the unusual side effects of kidney disease.  She began her senior year with what she describes as ‘chipmunk cheeks’ because of the new medications she was taking.  She is no longer able to eat chocolate, peanut butter, or a whole list of other items.  She is also very limited on fluid intake, being allowed only about 40 ounces of anything liquid (including things that can melt, like Jell-O or ice cream) each day.

Hali’s family began considering living kidney donation as soon as they learned she would need a transplant.  No one in her immediate family was a match, but a cousin was tested and will be able to donate to her.  She hopes to have the transplant after her high school graduation and be able to recover in time to start college in January. 

On the national waiting there are over 80,000 people who are waiting for a kidney transplant.  For information about kidney donation, log on to www.yesutah.org or call 1.866.YES.UTAH.

A few months ago, I contacted several people and asked them if they would share their donation or transplant story with me. I want to share some of those stories starting with a little girl named Abbigail.

Abbigail’s father described her as a little girl with a big heart.  Like many four-year-old girls, she simply adored the Disney princesses, so she was in total bliss when her family was able to visit Disneyland during a trip to California for her uncle’s wedding.  It was a fantastic trip, and they enjoyed the time they were able to spend together as a family, laughing, taking pictures, and just being together.  At the time, they had no idea how treasured those memories in California and Disneyland would be.

 The day after they returned home, their lives drastically changed.  Abbigail’s dad, Marcus, left for his shift as an officer with a County Sheriff’s office. While Marcus was on patrol, a call came over his radio stating emergency crews were being sent to respond to a 911 call about a four-year-old who was not breathing and his address was given as the location.  

By the time Marcus reached his home, paramedics were already on the scene. Marcus learned that Abbigail had put a bouncy ball in her mouth and it had become lodged in her throat.  The emergency crew was able to dislodge the ball and had begun CPR but the situation was serious.  Abbigail was flown to Primary Children’s Medical Center where they would be better equipped to deal with this type of emergency. 

Upon arriving at Primary Children’s Medical Center, the medical staff determined that Abbigail was brain dead.  Marcus and Deborah were devastated. They were asked whether or not they wanted to consider organ donation.  “My wife and I discussed organ donation.  The thought of Abbigail being able to continue to help others through organ donation became somewhat of a comfort to us and we decided to give our consent,” said Marcus.  “The biggest thing about Abbigail was her heart, which she gave to anyone and everyone. There was comfort in knowing, that in the face of tragedy, our child was able to help others.”  

Considering her ‘big heart,’ it seemed fitting that Abbigail was able to donate her heart valves to someone in need.  Her kidneys and liver were also donated. 

If you are not already signed up on the Utah Donor Registry, please consider doing so at www.yesutah.org.

April, National Donate Life Month, is almost over.  Throughout the month, I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of incredible people and attend some very touching events. 

Two of the people I had the pleasure of meeting were Mike Parke, Funeral Director at the Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home, and his wife Catherine.  Mike had a liver transplant in 2008 and says he feels better than he has in 20 years!  He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he received from people in his community prior to and following his transplant.  He is now a strong advocate for donation and is looking for ways to make a difference in his community and throughout Idaho. 

I attended a community event at Ogden Regional Hospital where Dr. Wahlstrom and his son Andy spoke about the impact organ donation has played in their lives.  Andy received a kidney from his younger sister, Mallory, several months ago.  Dr. Wahlstrom shared what is was like as a father to watch as two of his children were wheeled in to surgery.  Both Andy and Mallory, who is the current Miss Kaysville-Fruit Heights, are doing well. 

The Wahlstroms were followed by Paul Cardall, concert pianist and heart recipient.  Paul told a little about his heart condition and the disappointments and tragedies his family has faced in the last year.  He has gained a new perspective that has increased his great gratitude toward his donor and their family.  He then played a song he wrote for a baby he met at Primary Children’s Hospital, “Gracie’s Song.”  This beautiful song set the mood for the raising of the Donate Life flag which took place immediately following the speakers.

I also continued to see the need.  I interviewed a teenager on dialysis, met a toddler who needs an intestinal transplant, and spent some time with a woman who needs a new heart.  I hope next April finds these people doing well and ready to celebrate with us.  If you haven’t registered as an organ, eye, and tissue donor, it’s as easy as logging onto http://www.yesutah.org/ and clicking on the big, yellow “Register Now” button.

Written by Alec Rampton – Liver Transplant Patient April 28, 2009

Alec and Megan a few weeks before his transplant

One year to the date after being admitted to the Intermountain Medical Center for a potential Liver Transplant, I was able to compete in and finish the Salt Lake City Marathon.  Despite being severely ill on April 17, 2009, the liver went to another person who was also in desperate need.  I cried with my wife Megan following the news that I wouldn’t receive the liver, but our tears were not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy because we knew that another’s life would be saved through the beautiful process of organ donation.  We also knew that my chance to receive a transplant would come, and come soon.  And it did as the call from my transplant coordinator came in the early hours of April 28, 2009, and after 9 and a half hours of surgery, I received a second chance at life. 

We have always been physically active, so being hindered from sports and the outdoors with a liver disease was extremely difficult and frustrating.  Getting back into physical activity has been such a blessing and a gift for me.  Following the transplant, Megan and I started attacking life together by cycling, golfing, skiing, hiking, and walking our overly energetic dog Bode.  I felt better every day following surgery, and thoughts of pursuing a long-time goal of mine to run a marathon were brewing.  I made the decision to run the Salt Lake Marathon around Thanksgiving of 2009.  I began training right after Christmas.  As I ran almost every day, I felt so empowered by all of the people that had supported me during my illness through recovery stages, especially by my donor who remains anonymous to me.  I have never felt so happy as when I have been running with a goal and a purpose in mind. 

On the day of the marathon, I ran the first five miles with Megan as she was running the Half Marathon.  We kept looking at each other with big smiles, amazed at all of the people around us – all of whom were also running for one good reason or another.  We couldn’t help but get emotional as we realized where we had been just one year previously.  The marathon was difficult, but I felt pushed along by all of the supporters lining the course, and all the supporters who had helped me through so much.  As I turned towards the finish line, I was joined by Megan, but then left her as I sprinted towards the finish.  The marathon capped an incredible journey Megan and I had taken, and it was all made possible by my donor.  While I don’t know who my donor was, I am and will be forever grateful to them for what they have given me.  I hope that everyone knows what a precious gift life is, and while losing a loved one can be too difficult for words to describe, saving another is a gift unlike any other.

When my phone rang last week, I recognized the number and answered, “Hey Marco.  How are you?” 

“I’m great,” he responded. 

Sounds like a pretty normal conversation, but there was a lot more in Marco’s answer than just a casual response.  Marco had received a kidney transplant just two weeks earlier and that answer meant the kidney was working, he was recovering from his surgery, and he didn’t have to go to dialysis that morning.  He spent over three years waiting for a kidney, so I can only begin to imagine what this means to him. 

Marco’s kidney came from a very incredible man named Scott.  I’ve heard Scott described as a generous man who is always quietly helping others.  Scott didn’t know Marco, but he did know the need for kidney donation was great, so he made a phone call to Intermountain Donor Services several months ago to inquire about Good Samaritan Kidney Donation.  His decision to donate gave Marco a whole new chance at life.

Marco was interviewed on Fox 13 news this morning about life after transplant.  Scott wanted to be there, but the travel distance and early morning hour made it infeasible.   His daughter has set a goal to double the number of Good Samaritan Kidney Donors this year, so he will be telling people about living kidney donation and the young man he freed from dialysis.

To learn more, log on to www.yesutah.org.

Are you creative? Do you like making videos?  Then you might be just who we are looking for!

April is National Donate Life Month and we need your help publicizing the need for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Almost 400 people in Utah, and 106,000 nationwide, are waiting for a life-saving transplant.

We are looking for fun, creative, factual videos about donation to help publicize the need for more registered organ donors and we decided to have a CONTEST! We are looking for videos that: 

• Are two minutes long, or less
• Include factual information about donation/transplantation
• Have a message encouraging people to be donors
• Direct people to www.yesutah.org and www.yesidaho.org to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor

Check out our example video, “Knock out the Myths,” but we want you to use your own creativity.  Come up with something that wows us and blows away the competition!

 To be considered, videos must be submitted to info@yesutah.org in avi or wmv format by Thursday, April 1, 8:00 a.m., MST.  Complete details can be found at on the Yes! Utah website. 

The video that receives the most views during the month of April wins a cash prize of $150, the second most views $100, and third place, $50. 

Facts about organ, eye, and tissue donation can be found at www.yesutah.org. You may enter more than one video, but only one prize per person will be awarded.  

Help us celebrate National Donate Life Month and make a difference!   

Pass this information on to your friends.  You do not need to be a Utah resident to enter.