What would you do?
I hadn’t thought about that! That was my initial reaction when I was asked by one of our pantry Clients to add a contact card for UWHealth transplant center to our bulletin board. She wanted to see if anyone would be willing to help find a donor for her 9 year old daughter who needs a kidney very soon. Unfortunately, the only people see that bulletin posting is our volunteers. That’s great but it is limited exposure. So I thought it might be better to spread the information wider.
It is difficult to think about a 9 year old child needing to be hooked up to a dialysis machine 3 to 4 hours per time 3 times per week. There are also restrictions on what foods can be eaten as well. When we are not experiencing this type of stress it is hard to imagine what life would be like.
Like many of you, I have the Donor indicator on my driver’s license but when I think about going through the donor activity before I die, it is just seems way too scary. Most people are born with 2 kidneys. This particular has a family history for several generations of family members being born with only 1. That means that she can’t get one from her family members. So she is looking for help.
If you know anyone who would be willing to become an organ donor the contact information is as follows: “uwhealth.org/can-I-be-a-donor”. Or you can call (608) 263-1384.
At the pantry, especially as the manager, I get to greet many people and also get to know them some as well. I can say I love meeting the folks who come because they are people who are honest and just plain nice. I am often saddened when I hear some of the sad stories, while other times I can experience great joy when the stories are about good news. I know I can’t fix all of the trouble in the world. But if I can shed some light on some of the problems maybe someone else may have an answer to that problem.
Organ donors are people who deeply care about others. While not the same as an organ donor, I donated platelets at Red Cross for many years until other health issues forced me to stop. Like many people I have friends and acquaintances that are being treated for cancer. It was something I could do that I knew would help. From time to time, people come to the pantry and tell me they have been added to the transplant list. I have friends who have received transplants. I am grateful that the technology exists for that to happen. I hope this letter may help find someone who can help anyone who is on the transplant list. They are all waiting for that Good News that a donor has been found.
It is really an honor when God lets us be part of His answer to the prayers of others.
Larry Peterson, Pantry Manager
Resurrection Food Pantry 