Five years ago this past November 21, 2020, I was waking up after a six hour transplant surgery with multiple tubes still attached. I looked at my wife Kathy and asked, “Did I get it?”
It had been a little over six hours since the doctor said, “…if the cancer has spread, we’re going to close you back up and you won’t get the transplant.” I knew I’d probably look the same either way.
Kathy replied, “…yes Jack, you did!”
Tears immediately began streaming down my face with unfathomable gratitude as I thought about the 40-year-old man who had passed a little over six hours earlier and his grieving family who had to say goodbye to their loved one, one last time.
Even now, five years later, I wake-up almost the same way, thinking about this selfless young man and his family. Not all of the the time, but often, tears roll down my cheeks, because I, too, grieve for this young selfless soul who made a choice to be an organ donor. Today will always be a day filled with gratitude for his selflessness.
I’ve always been registered as an organ donor but I never dreamed that I would be on the receiving end. If being an organ donor is something you haven’t considered, I pray you will consider becoming one knowing your single donation can save up to eight lives.
Make life possible. Register to be an organ donor.
