Looking Forward, a New Year
As we begin a new year one can’t help but look back at what has passed and ponder what lies ahead. The end of the last year was particularly hard, I spent more time in the hospital between Thanksgiving and New Years than I have in any other similar length of time. A total of three hospitalizations, two coma’s and a Christmas I can’t remember. It would seem that the new year could only be an improvement. As I do look forward and contemplate the new year I am struck by several stark realities. My health will only continue to decline until I receive a transplant. My gallbladder has already failed and I live with pain from that and my liver on a daily basis. My MELD score seems hopelessly stuck in the low twenty’s...
Read MoreA Mother’s Decision to Give Life
In December 2009 Chris Henry died in a traffic accident. This tragedy came just as Chris was working to put his past issues behind him and rescue his NFL career. Following Chris’ death his mother made the decision to donate his organs for transplant. Henry’s corneas, lungs, kidneys, heart, liver, and pancreas were transplanted, saving the lives of four people. The following was aired by CBS Sport 11 months after Chris’ death. His mother tells the story of the lives impacted by the donation of Chris’ organs and how that helped her with her through her grief. The power of organ donation is apparent in the way this story affect the CBS Sports broadcasters. James Brown was so touched he was unable to continue the broadcast. At this season...
Read MoreActivation Milestone
I have been "listed" for sometime but all that really means is that you are being monitored and tracked by UNOS (www.unos.org) and submitting lab test at the prescribed interval. You are not actually "waiting for a call." Activation requires another round of testing to ensure no major changes in the health of you respiratory, cardiovascular or other major organ groups.
Read MoreLiving Donors
Living organ donation dates back to 1954, when a kidney from one twin was successfully transplanted into his identical brother. Today, the number of living organ donors is more than 6,000 per year. And one in four of these donors are not biologically related to the recipient. By offering a kidney, lobe of a lung, portion of the liver, pancreas, or intestine, living donors offer their loved one or friend or stranger an alternative to waiting on the national transplant list for an organ from a deceased donor.
Read MoreYou Can Give Life
One Man’s Story Trailer
The last 6 months of a two year journey to receive a liver transplant. Told in one minute of pictures and music.
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