Happy "19th" Birthday Dad!

This is my Dad.

You may have seen him sporadically on Vivid Hue before in the past (sometimes referred to as 'Grandpa Dewey', see here).   And today we celebrate his 19th Birthday. 

Let me explain. 


It was on August 25, 1994 that my dad received a successful liver donation from a sixteen year old teenager.  The teenager was killed in a car accident.  At such a sad, tragic time in their own lives, the parents made a selfless decision to donate their child's organ(s). We never met the family, they had requested to remain anonymous.  But from that day forward, my dad was literally given a new, healthy life.  A second chance.  And as a result, I have been granted an additional nineteen years with my own dad...and COUNTING!

I can never repay that family for their decision.  But I can cherish every additional day I've been able to spend with my dad over these years.  Let's just say, I'm a huge advocate for organ donation.  (Please consider if you aren't already a donor). 

Here's my dad with my mama in their younger days...and this summer they celebrated 44 years together.  There are so many milestones like this that we've been able to experience as a family. 

Did you know:

One organ donor can save up to eight lives. The same donor can also save or improve the lives of up to 50 people by donating tissues and eyes.

In 2012, there were 14,013 Organ Donors resulting in 28,052 organ transplants.

 90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.

The success rate for organ transplants is between 80 and 90 percent.

There are so many myths around organ donation.  I would urge everyone to read here for more facts about it.  I would like to request that every person consider being a donor if you're not already.  Or at least be educated enough to know the myths from the facts about donation.  

Here's how you can register to be a donor.   
Cheers!
Heather | Vivid Hue Home

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Write by: Arek - Sunday, August 25, 2013