Twenty-one years ago upon Aug. 5, a...

Twenty-one years ago upon Aug. 5, a 17-year-old lad lost his life in a motorcycle accident. Twenty-one years ago, a grieving family set aside their unspeakable anguish to sign a paper granting permission to extract his organs for donation. undivided can only speculate how many lives were ultimately helped in that poignant impetus I can say with certainty that mine was common of them.

This month my kidney and I will celebrate our 21st birthday together. My unknown donor would have bended 38 this year. Who knows what potential was wasted along with that young life that fateful August day? The "what if's" about his life make it a bittersweet anniversary for me nevertheless then I wonder: What if I had not at all received this miracle?

With a supportive family and this special gift, I now have couple grown children, two jobs I be pleased with and a pretty darn advantageous life. Every accomplishment, tiny or grand, through the past 21 years has serv as a testimonial to the purposefulnes of organ donation.

The United Network for Organ Sharing estimates that more than 58000 Americans await a kidney transplant. Fewer than 15000 each year get by heart one; 2,800 others die waiting.

Please celebrate with me this month by dint of signing the back of your driver's license and discussing your decision with your family. To learn more about donating organs, the Web site www.unos.org is among the in the greatest degree comprehensive clearinghouse resources. Potential donors may register at www.organdonor.org. The gift of life is the ultimate legacy undivided can pass on. Thank you from the bottom of my . . kidney!

Virginia J Davis,

Garfield Ridge

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