A year ago today, a dear friend went under the knife. After a full year of testing, evaluation, and endless appointments, this person went into surgery, and had a kidney removed.
To donate to someone else, anonymously.
As this person reflected back on the experience of the last two years, there was a moment where it became so simple and so clear: it was the one year anniversary of a beloved mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, friend, who received a kidney and got a chance to be with her kids and watch them grow.
Late last year, I got in contact with an old friend after many years; I learned this friend has a child who needs a kidney.
My friend's act was extraordinary. It takes a very special person who possesses not only the physical requirements to be a donor, but the metal fortitude and the absolute commitment to be a living donor. I encourage you to give it some thought, but I'm realistic that it's not something just anyone can or should undertake. So I encourage you to do what you can: be a donor after you've died.
Until things change in Canada, we're stuck with an informed consent system of donating organs and tissues. That means that you can sign up to be a donor with a provincial registry (or not) until the cows come home, but ultimately, the final decision to consent to your organs and tissues being donated after you've died belongs to your next of kin. So please, signal that you wish to be a donor, and have that conversation with your loved ones.
Hopefully on some far off day after you've lived a life you can be satisfied with, your passing will result in an anniversary for someone else...the day they got their life back.
Be a donor...
...Wish you were here.
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