Unless you happen to know someone that was either a donor or a recipient of a organ, you are probably unaware of NDLM. I attend church with a family that lost their precious young son to a terrible accident and within a few days became a donor family. As a result of his tragic accident I have become keenly aware of organ donation and the incredible need for people to designate on their driver’s license or simply tell their loved ones that they want to be an organ donor.
I saw inspiration and purpose in my friends making the difficult decision to donate their son’s organs after several agonizing and unimaginable days in the hospital. That unselfish act on their part both inspired me and planted a seed of purpose in me to do something about organ donation. That seed blossomed when I saw the hope in our friends’ eyes as they told of the recipients of their son’s organs and how their painful experience helped other people, including kids, have a second chance at life.
Subsequently a fellow church member decided to organize a 5K run in Alexandria and donate any funds raised to LOPA, Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. LOPA is a federally-designated agency that focuses on educating the general public about organ donation and works with the families involved in the donation process placing the organs for transplant. My entire family has participated in the run and we intend to continue spreading the word about organ donation whenever the opportunity arises.
Currently over 100,000 people are on the waiting list for organ transplants in the U.S. Statistics show that every year transplants recipients are living longer than before. Consider donating your organs or tissue. If you are unsure, I simply ask that you talk to a current donor or recipient of an organ transplant and see if their story touches you and convinces you to donate like it did to me. Make the decision to be a donor and have your gracious decision noted the next time you renew your driver’s license. You truly would be giving the gift of life.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
