Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/20/2009 10:59 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 01/21/2009 09:51 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Donate a Life~by Victor Claveau
20-year-old David Perez, was critically injured in an automobile accident on December 12, 2005 in Victorville, CA. David clung to life for five days and died December 17, at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Because he had registered as an organ/tissue donor while getting his driver’s license just a month before his death, seven people directly benefited from David’s decision. ......
The only certain thing in life is that life will end. Death is certain, death is inevitable. Every day brings proof that you and I will die. Walking among us in the daily dance of life, death gives no announcement of his coming. People die everywhere: in bed, on the street, in hospitals, and in their easy chairs. People die at every age of life. Young as well as old, babies as well as grandparents, healthy as well as sick, no year of life is spared. If you want striking proof of this, read the obituary notices in any city newspaper.
Death, then, is a fact. In reality, it is the only fact of life. It is not always a happy or cheerful thought. Nevertheless, we must face it bravely and intelligently. We talk of death, we think of death, not with the idea of frightening ourselves, not with any morbid idea of looking at something gloomy just for the sake of being gloomy. No, we face it, as we want to face all facts and realities.
Organ donation is one way of benefiting others after we have met death. According to Donate Life California, a nonprofit Organ and Tissue Donor Registry dedicated to saving the lives of thousands of Californians awaiting life-saving transplants, “Right now more than 18,000 Californians wait for an organ transplant. That's nearly 20 percent of those waiting across our country. Tragically, one third of them will die - waiting.”
Everyone, regardless of their age or health condition is urged to sign up on the Donate Life California Registry, because at the time of death, medical professionals will determine a person's eligibility to become an organ and tissue donor. Even cancer patients can potentially donate, and there are cases of organ donors in their mid-seventies and older.
David’s step-father, Larry Kinney, speaking for himself and David’s mother Terri, said, “His death has given others a chance to live. We really hope others will look into this donor program, David made it his wish to be a donor and he is a hero. This is an opportunity; no matter who you are, you will be a hero.”
You have the power to donate life. Your generosity can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance another 50 through tissue donation. Sign up today to become an organ and tissue donor at http://www.donatelifecalifornia.org/
Written by Staff Writer Victor Claveau
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