J on M. Huntsman said, “True giving is doing something for someone who can never repay you.” Tuesday morning, Erin Herrin of North Salt Lake gave her 5-year-old daughter, Maliyah Herrin, a kidney.
The transplant procedure was particularly perilous because Maliyah and her sister were conjoined twins until eight months ago – she’s never had a kidney of her own. So far, doctors at Primary Medical Center call the transplant procedure a success.
The high-profile kidney transplant surgery came at the beginning of National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month. The calendar is riddled with numerous awareness events – some more important than others – but this is certainly a special time to consider the amount of good one individual can do by choosing to be a donor.
According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, a total of 14,724 people donated and 28,931 organ transplants were completed in the United States during 2006. Currently, 95,798 people are on the waiting list for organ donations. The demand for able and willing organ donors is a need that won’t fade away as new names continually appear on the list of people in need of a transplant. If you are not already a registered donor, we strongly encourage you to apply.
Understandably, there are a few limits to who can be a donor. People who are HIV positive or have cancer cannot be considered for donation. Certain medical conditions may be taken into consideration, but doctors will evaluate those conditions based on the circumstances. In addition, people under the age of 18 need their legal guardian’s permission. But beyond that, there is no limit on who can register.
If you choose to become a registered donor, discuss the issue with your family. Let them know your desire to give to others so if any unforeseen misfortune strikes, they will be able to honor your desire to do something for someone that person can’t do for himself.
