Something I Believe In

Imagine needing something so desperately you could die if you don't get it. I'm not talking about WANTING something so bad you THINK you might die. I'm saying a doctor has said you WILL die if you don't get it. So, imagine this person is your mother, your sister, or even worse your child. One day, the doctors come to you and say they've found a way to save your baby. They've found someone who can save him and you know God has given you a gift; one you can never repay.

This is the scenario for hundreds of thousands of people on a daily basis. Do you know what it is that could save your mother, your sister, or your child? Organ donation.

I have always been a strong proponent. Before I turned 16, I had already decided to designate myself an organ donor on my driver's license.

There are those, people in my family in fact, who are not sold on the idea, and even though they have tried to explain it to me, I will never really understand their reasoning. Remember, this is my opinion, which I am entitled to, but by no means you must believe. To me, not being an organ donor is a selfish act. Some opt against it for religious reasons. Okay, fair enough. As a Christian, I don't believe God cares what organs we are buried with when we die. Does it make it any better for us in heaven if we're not there with our earthly hearts? No, I don't think so. We are promised new bodies in heaven, so why would we not give the gift of life to someone who otherwise would die? I just couldn't say no to that.

I have told many of my family members, including my husband, my wishes on this. If something tragic were to happen to me, I want ANY and ALL organs, skin, or other functional body parts to go to someone else. I'm not going to need them.

Yesterday's Oprah was partly about this topic. A young man, a senior in college, was killed in a pedestrian/car accident. He was ADAMANT his organs be donated and because of him, a 58 year-old father and husband has a new heart, another man suffering from diabetes has a new pancreas, another man with cirrhosis a new liver and a 16 year-old boy has a new kidney; all of these people would be dead if it weren't for Jason Ray.

As humans, when we think of dying or taking care of things in case we die unexpectedly, our first response is normally, "Oh, I'll take care of that later." What if later doesn't come? Please consider organ donation. Have an organ donor sticker added to your driver's license, and visit this website to register to be an organ donor in your state.

But most importantly, TELL YOUR FAMILY YOUR WISHES! In the end, they do have the last say and if they know organ donation is important to you, you could save the life of a mother, a sister, or a child.