Organ Donor Program

[rae519]

On this date, July 13, 2004, we ask that you remember our 7 year old daughter, Kayla, who passed on 10 years ago by considering the organ donor program.

While our faith was our stronghold, the knowledge that her organs gave a second chance at life for others was our comfort.

Thank you, and God bless,

Rae

 

[ducklite]

Rae,

You'll be in my thoughts today.

My DS, DS, and myself have all signed our licenses (State ID card in DS case) to be organ donors.

It's the most precious thing a person can leave as a legacy.

Anne

 

[4cruisin]

Rae,
I've been an organ donor for many years. Thank you for being such a strong advocate of organ donation. I know Kayla's story from the cruise board. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers today.

Nancy

 

[Pop Daddy]

Im sorry, and I am a donor

 

[Roemama1]

to you. I am speechless.

Also, I am a donor for reasons like this.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Always a good choice, my comfort to you today.

 

[Serena]

Rae, Kayla and you did a wonderful thing. She will be in my thoughts today.

Me and my girls are donors too.

 

[Kristi1357]

Another donor here - always have had it on my license and my family knows my wishes, just in case.

Your webpage is a beautiful tribute. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Kristi

 

[Liz]

I wish I was there to give you a big hug in person, Rae. I know this day must be difficult for you.

My daughter is a heart transplant recipient and when the anniversary of her transplant approaches I always think of her donor's mom and wonder how she's doing, knowing that its a difficult anniversary for her.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful gift at a time of ultimate sorrow.

 

[nkjzmom]

Rae....you are such a strong woman. This may sound unimportant when compared to the pain you felt in losing Kayla, but your family is and will be so blessed!!

Organ donation is something very important to my family. My brother is a 3 time kidney recipient. One from my dad, one from a little girl who passed away in a car accident, and his last one from me.

Families such as yours are always in our prayers....but you will hold a special place today.

Thank you so much.

 

[rae519]

To all, but especially to those whose families have been touched by organ donation - thank you - THANK YOU! Knowing that the little we did through donation gave that second chance to someone you know and love has carried me through not only MY loss, but the loss of others.

Thank you all for supporting the program - we are all blessed with this program!

Rae

 

[grinningghost]

You bet. They can take whatever they need, of course, I'm not sure that they will. I have MS and perhaps my organs wouldn't be desirable.

I also noticed that Kayla's birthday is the same as mine. God Bless her.

 

[dizneenut]

You'll be in my thoughts.

I am a donor and when my dad died unexpectedly, we gave away his organs, as well.

 

[chell]

The organ donor program is a wonderful thing.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Our thoughts are with you today. Thank you for caring so much to do that as well.
I'm a donor, and so is my mom. We know what a transplant can do, and how bad the wait can be. My neighbor is currently awaiting a heart, as she has some genetic disorder. Unfortunately it appears this future may await her kids as well.

 

[rae519]

My father was ill and at his age, 69, it was unfeasible to donate his organs but his eyes were used for research. He always said that he wanted to do what was right when he passed on and he felt that even if he couldn't donate, he could support the program by word of mouth.

It is an incredible way to give the most precious gift of all (life) and the most honorable way to remember your loved one.

I often said it was like giving away her clothes and toys - a child could use them who may not have been able to have them otherwise. Same with the organs - I always think of "her" recipients in prayers and am glad that I was able to make the donation.

A very special thank you to Lynn and her family - You mean so much to me and always will.

Rae

 

[diznee25]

Rae,

I remember reading a thread you started last year about your daughter Kayla, and was very touched. So much that I decided to become a donor. Before reading about your daughter, I was very much afraid of being an organ donor. I always thought if I signed my license, that I'd jinx myself and something terrible would happen to me. Seeing how courageous you and your family were, I decided to put my fears aside and signed my license. Didn't sign until just a few months ago, it took awhile to let go of that fear.

My husband and in-laws are all organ donors, so it's nice that I have a support group. We've all made it clear to each other, that if anything should happen to us, to please honor our wishes.

God Bless,
Michelle

 

[ladytemptra3]

God bless everyone who has donated or is willing to! I have never doubted that I want to help in this way and have argued against many who have the wrong idea about the program. Regardless of their opinions, I have it printed on my license.

I have a degree in biology and plan to receive my master's in genetic counseling. As a result, I will be dealing with these issues, and it helps to see that I have so much support waiting for me on the boards.

 

[AZKathy]

First of all, Rae, I just have to say I love your name. My DD1's name is Megan Rae. (My DD2's middle name is Renee.)

Secondly, I want to say God bless you and what you did during such a tragic time in your life. Your gift helped so many other people who may not have been blessed otherwise.

All three of my kids are adopted and the girls have the same mom. Two months after my youngest was born, their birth-uncle was in a tragic motercycle accident which he lost his life. He became a donor and now his parents work very hard in our local Donor Network Program will speaking at dinners and such.

Finally, I wanted to say thank you for your touching story.

 

[rae519]

diznee25 - "Bob and Tom" - as in the Indy DJ team! Wow! Small world!!!

To elaborate on your remark about being afraid - lots of misconceptions abound about signing the card then being pronounced dead prior. Allow me to share this with you - Our accident was 6PM, she was medic-evaced at 7:20PM to Indy - and they worked on her the entire time. I "KNEW" she was gone but her heart still was beating.
We arrived in Indy after being released from our local hospital around 2AM. At 3AM, they told us they "felt" she was gone but needed to do a brain scan to show "no brain activity" - I said, "We want her organs used to help others."- or something like that.
It took until 5AM for them to get and read the brain scan to make sure that there was no brain activity before they pronounced her dead.

I am so glad you let go of your fear - it's a crippling emotion. My only fear is living longer than my two remaining children.

ladytemptra3 - How wonderful that you are so supportive of the program to set people straight about it! The "bad press" and "fear factor" make others leery of a program that may impact directly onto them one day. So glad to hear your progressing in your education and making a difference in the world. I wish my parents had genetic counseling - I seem to have inherited all the "bad" genes from both sides and have faced the challenges resulting from this!!!

AZKathy - Interesting how your children's middle names are ours!!!! Nice! I am glad that the parents decided to volunteer to work for the Donor Network Program - I know it helped me to speak to groups about the program and my experience with it.

monarchsfan16 - I pray that a donor is found for your neighbor.

One of the most beautiful moments resulting from Organ Donation has been from the Japanese woman who received a double lung transplant from Kayla - Mariko's time was nearly up, and her young daughters and husband (exmilitary man) were beside themselves. That was 10 years ago - since that day, Mariko has seen both daughters graduate high school, college, get married and have children. All due to Kayla - all due to the Organ Donor Program.

I have told family and friends that I would be willing to donate a kidney (living donor program) if necessary - now that makes them think I am crazy because of my medical history and challenges, but I believe in Luke 12:48 - "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him much will be required." God blessed me with Kayla, and I have much to give back.

Rae