Archive for December, 2009

The holidays are such a busy time of year. But each year, my family takes a moment to give thanks for what we have by making a financial gift to Donate Life Northwest to support its programs.

It is a cause very close to my heart. My daughter Brooke was diagnosed with a rare liver disease when she was just two months old. Six months later, when doctors believed she just had only days to live, she received her donated liver.

Brooke is now 15 and my family is so lucky for her transplant. We will be forever grateful for her donor’s lifesaving decision to help Brooke.

It really is amazing to think of how many people one person can help just by taking five minutes to sign up on the donor registry. One person can save eight lives through organ donation. That same person can enhance up to 50 more lives through tissue donation. And it is nearly impossible to count the number of individuals affected when their loved one get’s the transplant they have been waiting for.

It’s sad to think about the 2,500 sons, daughters, fathers, mothers and loved ones still waiting for a transplant in the Pacific Northwest. The key to saving lives starts with Donate Life Northwest’s lifesaving education programs which motivate people to sign up as donors.

This holiday, I encourage all you bloggers and supporters to make a financial gift to Donate Life Northwest. As we all know, it takes just one person, one gift, to make a difference.

Safe and happy holidays to you all.

Rodney Whitaker

Donate Life Northwest Board Member

Transplant Recipient Father