Organ Donation....Paying It Forward

The following is a copy of the letter I received from LifeLink of Georgia.....

Dear Ms. Harriss,

     On behalf of LifeLink of Georgia, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to you and your family for the loss of your son, Austin. The death of someone you love is the most painful event that one can experience. I would like to thank you for your support of Austin's decision to donate.

     I would like to share with you a little information about the recipients who were able to receive an organ for transplant only because of your willingness to honor your son's wishes.

     One of your son's kidneys and his pancreas were transplanted into a 51 year-old lady, who is married. It was reported that there was immediate function of the organs following the transplant surgery.

     Austin's other kidney was transplanted into a 72 year-old gentleman from Georgia. He is married and is retired. He had been on the transplant waiting list since April of 2008. His transplant coordinator reported that he was in good condition and he has been discharged from the hospital.

     A 52 year-old gentleman from Georgia received your son's liver. He is married and has two children. His transplant coordinator informed us that he had been on the transplant waiting list since April of this year.

     Your son's heart was transplanted into a 69 year-old gentleman from Maryland. He is married, has three children and works as an attorney. He had been on the transplant waiting list since May of 2009. His transplant coordinator reported that his heart was functioning well following the transplant surgery.

     Both of Austin's lungs were transplanted into a 66 year-old gentleman from Ohio. He is married, has four children and works part time in IT. He enjoys motorcycles and playing with his grandchildren. He had been on the transplant waiting list since April of this year. It was also reported that his lungs were functioning well following the transplant surgery.

     The bone tissue that was recovered from Austin will be used to benefit up to 20 separate individuals who suffer from a variety of orthopedic problems, including injuries resulting from trauma, defects caused by tumors, and various other orthopedic deformities. The use of whole bone grafts has, in some instances, eliminated the need for an amputation of a diseased limb and has resulted in improving the quality of life of the recipient.

     Your son's saphenous veins were recovered and will be used in bypass surgeries, like coronary artery bypass surgery, to replace the blocked vessels in a heart with inadequate blood flow.

     As you can see, the value of these gifts is immeasurable.  I hope that you can derive some comfort from the knowledge that your son was able to give these precious gifts that will make such a positive impact on the lives of others. I have enclosed the booklet, For Those Who Give and Grieve, with the hope that it will provide additional support and information regarding organ and tissue donation. A phamphet is also included containing guidelines for writing to the recipient if you desire to do so in the future.

     Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any futher assistance to you. Again, thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Benn Parker
Donation Coordinator