A couple of months ago, I received an email from a reader. She told me the story of her baby daughter, Savannah, and how she received a liver transplant when she was one. She explained how much she and her husband want to raise awareness for organ donation. And, when she asked me to create a cupcake pop for fundraisers to honor Savannah’s 2-year-old donor, I knew what I had to do.
I called and told her I would and then I told her my story, and we both cried.
You see, today is my sweet sixteen. It’s what I call my second birthday. Sixteen years ago I received a phone call asking me to come to the hospital right away. The voice on the other end said they had a possible “match.” I was sick, both of my kidneys had failed and I was on dialysis. But, later on that evening I was in surgery for a kidney transplant. And, the next day I no longer needed dialysis – I was the recipient of the greatest gift that can be given.
I don’t have the words to describe all the feelings I had then and still have now. But Savannah’s mom reminded me how I was given a second chance and how I can do more myself.
So maybe, you’ll read this and take a minute to think about organ donation. Or, the next time you renew your license, you’ll remember these pops or Savannah, or me and change a life.
Here’s Savannah’s story (have a kleenex handy)>>> I’m sorry, the link to Savannah’s story is no longer available.
Above: cupcake pops with the green ribbon (a symbol for organ donation) Below: Some other combinations with the same color scheme.
