August 12, 2007

On July 24, I celebrated my third “heart birthday.”

It is wonderful to be alive! I have seen two graduations from college, three weddings and the birth of my first grandchild. I would have missed these wonderful events if a donor family hadn’t donated a heart.

I’m so thankful for this family. I don’t know my donor family, but I would love to meet them.

Texas has more than 7,000 patients waiting for an organ. Thousands of people die needlessly each year due to a lack of organ and tissue donors.

Anyone can help save lives by deciding now to become a donor:

>> One individual donor can provide organs and tissue for 50 or more people in need.

>> Donations do not cost anything for the donor’s family.

>> You are never too old or young to be a donor.

>> Donation is not considered until all efforts to save the patient’s life have failed.

>> And your family will be notified and asked about your decision, so the most important thing you can do is to make sure your family knows you want to be an organ/tissue donor.

If you’d like, sign and carry a donor card in your wallet or place a “DONOR” sticker on your driver’s license. Your family MUST consent in order for you to be a donor, so be sure and let your family know your wishes.

Do you have the heart to be an organ donor?

Sherrie Dyer

Midland