Before my son Rick became a donor at 19, he had thought about organ and tissue donation and discussed it with us. So when the time came on that fateful night in March of 2000, the choice was easy for us. We donated Rick's organs and tissues after he passed away, and he became not only a hero to us, his family, but to approximately 40 people he donated to.
It's not just about donating organs…hearts, livers, kidneys, pancreas, lungs and intestines. We've also learned how to make available tissues that can make a failing heart beat stronger, or even a complete hip replacement possible. All because someone gave the selfless gift, the gift of life, by being an organ and tissue donor.
So, someone today is walking using the bones they received from Rick.
Some are seeing the world today though eye tissue Rick donated.
And some are even wearing his skin while recovering from severe burns.
Please, today, sit and talk with your family. Sign up as a donor and make your wishes known to your loved ones. Sign the back of your license. Enroll in the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.
We know that Rick is still with us, in the people that received his tissues. It's helped us to cope with his loss. We knew what Rick wanted, and it made a difference to my family.
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