Meet Jack. He just turned 16 a few weeks ago and has signed up to be an organ donor. When asked why, he said “why wouldn’t I?”. Exactly. Why wouldn’t you? When pressed for just a bit more detail, he explains that if signing up to be an organ donor could someday help someone like Jim, there isn’t really a decision. Of course you’d sign up. Gets right to the point doesn’t he?
Like Jack, be inspired by Jim’s story. Be a donor.
Do you take it for granted that you’ll be able to grab a paint brush and refresh the walls of your home with a new coat of paint? Do you take it for granted that you won’t need to sell that home? Do you take it for granted that you can vacuum the carpet when it’s got dog hair on it? Do you take it for granted that you can walk that dog? Do you take it for granted that you will be the one offering to help others, rather than accepting it? Do you take it for granted that if you need an organ transplant, that others have stepped up to be a donor? Jim doesn’t take any of these things for granted. He has been on the waiting list for a new heart for 17 months. Reality: being on that list is completely life-changing – for the entire family.
Be inspired. Be a donor.
This is our 25th message to you about Jim’s story. It’s our 25th push to encourage you and everyone you know to be an organ donor. It’s a way to counter the measly 25% of people in Ontario who are signed up to be organ donors. It’s the 25 pieces of inspiration or education that will help you spread the message and get people to be a donor.
It’s been 25 more days that Jim and his family have been waiting for a new heart. Twenty-five.
Be inspired. Be a donor. Tell your family of your wishes.
Lovely dinner party conversation was recently brought to a screeching halt with the seemingly innocent question: “Hey, is everyone here registered to be an organ donor?”. Ok, not subtle, and we’ll continue working on our delivery, but seriously: why is this awkward? What kind of shift in our society must it take for conversation about what happens after death to be ok? We’re going to keep trying, and hope you do too, but in the meantime, some very talented people in Australia are attempting to shift this thinking through film. In Australia, you are encouraged to “have the chat”.
We’ll use whatever works – and hopefully people will still come over for dinner. Be inspired by Jim’s story: be a donor and talk to your family about your wishes.
Of all the reasons we’ve heard to not be an organ donor, this one can make you step away: “It’s against my religion”. But really, we must not, because in most cases it isn’t true. Most religions support organ donation because it saves the life (or lives) of another. Even if your religion restricts the use of a body after death, it likely doesn’t include organ donation. If you aren’t convinced, talk to your religious leader.
Be inspired by Jim’s story to be a donor.
Do you remember that old commercial where Heather Locklear tells two friends about her fabulous shampoo, and they tell two friends and so on, and so on……… Even if you don’t — the lesson still applies here. If we each tell two friends about organ donation (sign up at beadonor.ca and talk to your family), and then they tell two friends (and so on), we can make a difference. We’ll worry about fabulous hair later.
Be inspired by Jim’s story. Be a donor.
Lately, there’ve been some high-profile “good news” stories about social media and organ donation. There was a story from Florida where a mom made a Facebook page to find a kidney for her daughter. She did. Or the story of the woman looking for a liver on Facebook, only to have her best friend donate part of hers. Would that we could harness Facebook for a new heart for Jim. We’d be all over that. The thing is, a new heart “good news” story must come with bad news too. And in the face of that bad news a conscious choice to give the gift of life. Not simple. The only thing that could ease this choice is you signing up to be a donor and telling your family – and we’re using social media to encourage you. That’s how we’ll find a heart for Jim.
Be a donor. Be inspired by Jim’s story.
In many ways, Jim is a lucky man. His wonderful wife is there for him with her brilliant smile every day. But as they wait for a new heart, Marah has taken on a lot. The amount of stress she shoulders is incredible – health, finances, children, work, home. After a while, this excessive level of stress is the new normal. It is very hard for her to think around the worry, and an absolute rarity to do something for herself. Marah is a strong woman, but the waiting goes on. And on. Nothing will shake her faith that a new heart is coming very soon.
Jim, you are a lucky man.
Take two minutes (just two!) to sign up to be an organ donor. Give the gift of life.
Even among the super-motivated community that surrounds Jim, we’ve heard people say that they are not eligible to be an organ donor because of some kind of health condition. The truth is, everyone can be an organ donor. A donor’s eligibility is determined by the health care team upon their death. Don’t make any assumptions!!
Everyone should take the two minutes to sign up to be an organ donor. Everyone. Be inspired by Jim’s story.
When Marah and Jim decided to include rescue-dog Charlie in their family, some of us wondered if adding another responsibility was a good idea. Now of course, it’s clear that Charlie came along to help with the waiting. When Jim is having a particularly bad night, Charlie finds his way to the pillow next to him, just to make sure he’s alright. When Jim’s feet swell uncomfortably, Charlie is pretty sure that if he lays his head on Jim’s ankles, all will be fine. Though Jim can’t throw the ball more than 3 or 4 times in the backyard before sitting down, Charlie doesn’t mind. He is there by his side. Waiting. Charlie does his fair share of making the entire family smile too. Marah often says this dog rescued them, not the other way around.
Not all the people on the waiting list for an organ donation have a Charlie to help with the waiting. So, be a donor. Be inspired by Jim’s (and Charlie’s) story.
Jim's Hearts 