Hello, everyone! Summer is quickly coming to a close, the days are getting shorter, and school is about to begin! But before you all get off the computer to go and finish all of that summer homework you’ve waited until September to do, I would like to share with you the Donate Life mission through the eyes of Samantha. Samantha is a hard-working volunteer at UNYTS who feels very passionately about the cause. She very kindly agreed to answer a couple of questions that I had regarding her personal experience with UNYTS.
Q: Why did you choose to volunteer at UNYTS?
A: The mission of UNYTS is something that is near and dear to my heart. Being a donor sister and also a tissue recipient, I feel called to give back to an organization that has done so much for our family. I also feel really passionately about organ and tissue donation, so it’s a natural fit.
Q: What do you feel is the greatest challenge in gaining support for the mission?
A: I think that clearing up misconceptions about organ and tissue donation can be tough. I still talk to people who think that there are religions that forbid donation, or think that their deceased loved one’s body will be further harmed by the organ recovery process.
I think that if more people knew how many people were waiting for organ donations and how many people die every day while waiting, they would be shocked. I also think that if people knew how many different people their loved one’s gift of life could affect, they would be surprised.
Q: Do you believe that kids are more receptive to discussing donation than adults are? If so, why?
A: I think that most kids are open to the idea after they hear a little bit about it. I think that adults are more influenced by what other people think, so if they’ve heard some misinformation at some point, they’re more likely to hold on to that and run with it. Kids are open and honest, so I think that they’re the perfect little people to talk to about donation.
Q: As a donor sister and tissue recipient where do you find your courage?
A: My courage comes first and foremost from my Lord and savior Jesus Christ who sustains me through everything. God is good in all circumstances, good, bad and ugly. I also have an incredible family and an amazing support network of friends. I also get a lot of joy from knowing that my sister’s final gift was an amazing blessing to many people. As a tissue recipient, I’m proof that people’s lives are changed for the better by donation. I can walk normally today because of someone’s final, selfless act of tissue donation. Our family has felt the UNYTS mission come full circle, and that’s and incredible blessing.
I feel that Samantha is someone we can all learn a great deal from; both in the true meaning of donation and courage, as well as developing a better understanding of the Donate Life mission. Thank you, Samantha!
Blog Post by Mary, guest Blogger with UNYTS this summer