Thank you.
I was in elementary school when I heard John F. Kennedy's speech "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
This stayed with me and became a strong belief. I was in nursing school (1970's) when I heard about organ donation. A simple consent to give what is no longer needed by a person and maybe give them another chance at life. This fell into JFK's speech and I began to not only support it, but talk about it to others never knowing that in 20 years I would be touched by it so dramatically.
I discussed organ donation with my family, friends and anyone who would listen. So that when the day came that our Kayla passed into Heaven, we had already premade the decision about organ donation.
Our faith in God remained strong and the blessings came from knowing that Kayla's life and death had meaning to so many! The eight recipients were given young and healthy organs that have sustained them since July 1994.
Kayla's memory goes on with not only those who I have reached either by my work as a volunteer donor spokesperson or through the website. Her recipients have also done their part in promoting organ donation by just their mere presence in the world!!
For those who have doubts, I want to reassure them that you must be declared dead (Kayla had a brain scan that showed no brain activity) before there was any mention of organ donation, and then it was us who said, "We want you to use whatever you can to help others."
If people could just give it some thought, make an informed decision then tell their family, friends, doctor and carry an organ donor card or have it marked on their license, then Kayla's memory lives and from that maybe someone you know and love will need and get that second chance at life.
Thank you again for taking the time to visit her site, and for the work you do with both organ donor's and recipients. You make a tragedy into a blessing for both families.
God bless,
Rae
