Did you know that April is National Organ Donor Awareness Month?

Did you know that in the Upper Midwest there are 2,600 people waiting for an organ and nationally over 100,000 are waiting?

Did you know that 18 people die everyday waiting for that life saving transplant?

Did you know that you can donate your heart, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, liver and intestines?

Did you know that you can also donate tissue such as corneas, skin, veins, tendons, bones, heart values and connective tissue?

My husband would have been on of those 18 people if it weren’t for the generosity of one very special family.

The purpose of this letter is to promote awareness for a great need. To get you all to start thinking. And hopefully to talk about what your wishes are about organ donation. I challenge all of you, young and old to sit down and discuss what you would do in the event of a tragedy. Just like the family that gave us a new heart and the hope of a new life. In their darkest hour they were able to see the need and unselfishly gave the gift of life. We are aware of at least six people that received organs that day.

This is a very hard subject to talk about. Nobody wants to even think about losing a loved one let alone donating organs or tissue. But the time to make this decision is now. You need to let your loved ones know how you feel. Parents, please talk about this. What would you do? Are you willing to save the life of someone else’s child? Teenagers, have you marked that little box on your new drivers license? Tell your parents how you feel about being able to save someone else’s life in the event of a tragedy. Now is the time to talk and become aware of this great need.

I know of one mother out there who four days before mother’s day last year, her two daughters were walking over to a friends house and were struck by a car. The one daughter, who she later found out was really dead at the scene of the accident, was able to save the lives of six other children. Her other daughter who died a month later was not able to be a donor. She tells me that just knowing her beautiful daughter, who did something so awesome in death has helped her try to recover from her own loss. She just wishes now that her other daughter could’ve also donated. You talk about a great strength and love for her fellow man. She is hoping to some day meet her donor families and feel the life of her daughter in those other children.

There is an awesome website out there for anyone who may have questions and if you would like to register go to www.lifesource. org.

I strongly urge everyone out there to at least start thinking and talking. Everyday we say a prayer of thanks, and a prayer of healing for our donor family. Without them, and their unselfish gift, Dean would not have had this last year to see the sun rise and set, and also to spoil his grandchildren.
Joan and Dean Holmberg
Heart recipient, Jan. 10, 09
Staples, Minn.