Do you want to save a life?: Part Two

   Almost a full year ago, I wrote a blog post titled "Do you want to save a life?" You can read this post here. In it, I espouse the virtues of both organ and blood donation.
   By way of example, I spoke about two people in my life who were, at that time, dealing with health issues in which blood and organ donation either already were playing vital roles or had the potential for doing so.

Gordon (as I knew him) and Gordon (as I CONTINUE to know him!)

   One of them was a gentleman and high school compatriot named Gordon Kirkland. Gordon lives in B.C. and his liver was failing at this time last year. His only viable hope for survival rested on the very slim chance that someone, somewhere near to him, had made the decision to donate their organs upon their passing. And then they had to die. Complicating this somewhat was the fact that they needed to be fairly close to Gordon's size (he's a big man) and the blood types needed to match (Gordon has one of the rarer blood types).
   Gordon spent most of last year slowly deteriorating. He is a well-known and respected humourist, though, and did his best to demonstrate this at the same time as his body continued to both sustain and betray him.
   Over the latter part of the year, you could sense the resignation in his writings. He talked about how close death was.
   Then he got lucky. Or he received a blessing. Maybe a little of both but the fact of the matter is that he became the recipient of a new liver just a little over two months ago! By both his and his doctors' admission, he was likely only about three days away from death when he received his transplant. He is doing very well now and has returned to that ebullient Gordon we all know and love. At the same time, he is humble in his thankfulness and extremely aware that someone else had to die in order for him to continue on living.
   Putting it simply, you can save a life by registering as an organ donor. This just happened to someone I know. Not only that, the act of registering can either save or greatly positively impact the lives of several people, all at the same time. It's a no-brainer, no pun intended!

   The other person I spoke about in that post was my ex-wife, Lori Hicks. Lori was in the middle of a battle against multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. The treatment for this involves different forms of chemotherapy and blood transfusions. Hence the need for blood donations. Donated blood is also used in the battle against anemia, sickle cell disease and hemophilia. Of course it is also used in cases involving accidents, where there may be great blood loss.

   Lori,
   and my two boys,
   Bryant and Ben

   Sadly, Lori ultimately lost her battle, passing away in early December. No amount of blood donation would have ultimately saved her. Blood donations, however, were a vital part of the treatment process which helped keep her alive for the five years she was still with us after her cancer diagnosis. This was five years of a life lived with dignity and grace and, as importantly, a life surrounded by the love of family and friends. Blood donations were a part of what helped make this possible for her and they continue to help many others. For the length of time it takes--about forty-five minutes every two months--blood donations are also a no-brainer.
   I am once again posting some  links that will get you somewhere where you can learn more about the organ and blood donation process and how to get involved in both.

 http://organ-donation-works.org/english/home/
https://beadonor.ca/
http://www.blood.ca/

  
   Now all you need to do is....DO IT!!!