It amazes me how much you can care for someone even when you have never officially met. When you have a thing as major as CF in common, it creates an instant bond between you. Such is the case with my cyster friend, Kerry.
I found Kerry's blog back in May and have been following her story and commenting occasionally ever since. Living in a hospital and on a vent for so long made her a CF hero in my eyes. She had a spunky attitude which I'm sure would have attracted me to her as a friend in "real life" had we had the chance.
She fought for more time to be with her husband and two young sons. She used her experience to bring awareness to the huge need for people to become organ and tissue donors--and did she ever make a difference! Many lives will be saved because of her willingness to tell her story. Here is a link to an article about her written in a local newspaper.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/08/lung_transplant_patient_organ.html
Many people don't know that in most states just signing up to be a donor when you renew your license isn't enough. You must sign up with the donor registry in your state. The process is easy and confidential. If you don't know how, google "organ donation in (your state)" and you can find the information you need. Here is a link to become listed in Colorado: http://www.coloradodonorregistry.org/index.php
I became an organ donor and you can too!
On Wednesday, after almost 3 years on the list with the last 5 months hospitalized, Kerry Hutchin's body could no longer fight as hard as her spirit and she was removed from the waiting list--doctors felt she was now too weak to survive a transplant. In a follow-up article, George Roby, her father related:
"I told her I'm sorry there won't be a transplant," Roby says of his daughter. "And she said, 'Oh, there'll be a transplant.'" Roby has to pause. "But she means the other way -- she'll be giving her organs." Hutchins is a registered organ donor. "She's an angel," her dad says.
This morning Kerry passed away. Here is a link to the updated story.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/08/sparta_mom_awaiting_lung_trans.html
I'm so sorry Kerry didn't get her miracle but she will be the reason many more people will get theirs. My prayers go out to her husband, sons, and extended family--may they be blessed with the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I was following her too, so sad but awesome that so many in Michigan have signed up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. When I took Daniel to get his learner's permit, he was going to check "no" on the donor line. It wasn't until then that I realized I'd never had the organ donor conversation with him--something that stunned me, because one of his cousins, my nephew, is alive today because he received a liver transplant as an infant. It's past time to sit down with my kids and explain what organ donation is and what it can mean to lives.
ReplyDeleteWow, your post says it all. I also followed Kerry's blog and am sad to hear the news. So proud to see her legacy- organ donor awareness in Michigan! Breathe easy Kerry.
ReplyDelete