World Organ Donor Day

A little boy, only about 7, sat by his sister's bed in the hospital as the doctor walked in and said to his parents, "If your daughter (of 10) doesn't have a blood transfusion, she'll likely die or go into a coma. And I'm not sure she'll come out of it." The doctor asked, "Is there anyone in your family with her blood type?". Her parents said,"... well, no. Only her little brother, and he's only 7. " The doctor said that since her blood type is so rare (for example her blood type does not have the necessary S factor), they would typically have to screen at least 200 donors and their may not be time.

In final desperation, the parents ask the boy if they could use his blood for the transfusion. The little boy looked at his sister and immediately said, "Yes".

As the boy lay on a gurney, almost motionless, next to his sisiter, he could see the blood going thru tubes during the transfusion. The boy looked up at his parents and said I love you. The parents silently prayed and cried. The boy slowly asked the doctor, "When...will...I die?". The doctor, stroking the boy's head, told him, "You're not going to die. Why do you ask?". The boy thought about it and said, "I give my sister all my blood, so she could have blood. Then she could live".

Here is a supreme example of love. A simple child thought he was actually giving his own blood and life for his siter, but he still did it. He saw how much his parents loved his sister. At that time, he was not selfish about it but hated to see his parents feel so bad and his sister might die. Jesus once said in John (15:13) that "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends". And friend, that's laying it down. That's about as close to unconditional love I have ever seen.

The annual World Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation is October, 14th. This day passes unknown to most...but if only someone had known that there is even the slightest of chance to save someone's life...for life to come out of death, then why not at least consider it. When a person is deceased, they have no further use of their organs. Just like money, they can't take it with them. For the Christian and some other faiths, there is the hope of another life (ie, John 3:16). It is not a hope-so but a know-so (John 10:28-29). So for them, there should be even more compulsion to bring life, even a physical life, if it is within their power, and it would be if you so designated this legally and told your familiy what you have planned for at death.

If there is even the slightest chance that one of your organs could save or dramatically change someone's life, would you do it? Certainly for a loved one, family member, friend, etc. But for the vast majority of people who don't ever glance at the back of their Driver's License, I would ask you, why not?

I have already informed my family about my plans after death. After writing an article for this cause, I could only come up with good reasons to sign up. What are my reasons? (What would your's be?)

It is free to sign up for.

You could save someone's life.

You could be a hero, saving someone's mom, or dad, or brother.

Someone's donated organ could save your own life.

Your organ(s) could be a living testimony and witness about you as a memorial for your sacrafice.

You have no use for your organs after death (the Egyptians threw away the brain, thinking it was useless but preserved the heart, thinking it was the seat of intellect).

South Africa lead's the world in transplants.

People will think more highly of you.

After death, you can donate heart, liver, lungs, kidneys (renal) and pancreas, retina's. etc.

There is a severe worldwide shortage of donors, while people die waiting.

You can sign the back of your driver's license in advance, but tell all family members your wishes.

You can tell others to sign up.

Grieving family members receive consolation knowing it saved someone else's life.

*An international congress marked the first World Day for Organ Donation and Transportation on October 14^th, 2005.