Giving the Gift of Life

Dear Caregivers,

Every April, I often find myself having flashbacks to the days when putting on a surgical mask and gown were an almost daily activity for me. Why April? Because April is Donate Life Month – a time to spread word around the world that you can help save lives by becoming an organ donor. It was more than 25 years ago that I started spending many days and nights in the operating room as a transplant surgeon, and it was one of the most intriguing and meaningful jobs I’ve ever had.?To me, there was always something miraculous about the fact that the very organ you held in your hands that came from someone who just passed away was about to give life to someone else who had been praying for a second chance to live.

Across ages and cultures, all organ donors realize that the greatest gift that a person can receive is another day of life. Selflessly, these donors step forward and say to someone in need, “Let me take this burden from you.” By giving a part of themselves, they give another person more days to live. Those of you who engage in, or support transplantation know that being a part of that exchange is really one of the most gratifying experiences. And much like it takes a very special person to be a caregiver, it also takes an incredibly special person to be an organ donor.

Last year alone, more than 2,700 organ transplants were performed here in Florida, according to the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network, granting the wish of so many deserving people here in West Florida and across the Sunshine State. So, to honor recent donors and caregivers, several of our hospitals here in West Florida have been hosting special flag-raising ceremonies so that recipients can pay their respects to donors and share a special moment of gratitude with the teams who cared for them.

And the stories that have emerged for these ceremonies have been truly remarkable!

Take, for example, the powerful story from HCA Florida Blake Hospital about a pair of sisters who fought for life together. Years ago, one of the sisters, Debbie was admitted into the hospital shortly after her father’s passing. After extensive diagnostic work, Debbie received the painful news that her kidneys were failing, and she would need to have a transplant. Without hesitation, Debbie’s sister, Melody, volunteered to see if her kidney could help her sister. And to Melody’s excitement, her kidney was the perfect match. When contacted with the good news, Melody said, “I did not think twice about it. Was it scary, yes, but it was the most important decision I made in my life, to save my sister’s life.”

Another inspiring example comes from HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, where Janet and David, a husband-and-wife duo, received kidney transplants 13 years apart. Long before her own transplant, Janet gave the gift of life to an infant through bone marrow transplant, and that act of goodwill came full circle more than a decade later. Today, her husband, David, is her designated photographer when Janet competes in marathons and obstacle courses, including the Transplant Games. And while the couple may not agree on all things, they agree completely when it comes to the importance of registering to be an organ, eye, or tissue donor. David’s advice to those considering becoming an organ donor: “Do it yesterday.”

Over at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, another powerful story is about one of the local residents, Steven, who recently received the gift of a new heart after his own tragically failed. Prior to heart failure, Steven led a highly active lifestyle and then, when he became unable to simply walk across the street, he turned to our care teams for help. Thanks to the generosity of an organ donor, Steven has returned to his life with hope and peace – a gift for which he thanked his donor during the hospital’s recent flag-raising ceremony.

Over at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, another powerful story is about one of the local residents, Steven, who recently received the gift of a new heart after his own tragically failed. Prior to heart failure, Steven led a highly active lifestyle and then, when he became unable to simply walk across the street, he turned to our care teams for help. Thanks to the generosity of an organ donor, Steven has returned to his life with hope and peace – a gift for which he thanked his donor during the hospital’s recent flag-raising ceremony.

These special ceremonies will continue throughout Donate Life Month, including one that will take place at HCA Florida Largo Hospital on Friday, April 22. And we are honored to recognize the donors, the recipients and the care teams who helped save lives. And, in case you didn't know, more than 106,000 patients are on the national waiting list today to receive an organ transplant from a deceased organ donor, according to LifeLink Foundation.

We appreciate those who have volunteered to help someone in need. If you or someone you know is considering becoming an organ donor, I encourage you to take some time to educate yourself on what it requires and the life-changing impact it can have on others. It’s just another of the many ways that you can make a difference.

Ravi