Making the decision to become and organ or tissue donor is not easy. Being a donor isn’t right for everyone, but it can make a difference. Currently more than 120,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list with more than 2,000 of those living in Wisconsin.
For Eunice and Stephen Mann of Merrill, it wasn’t until they saw a television news report on kidney donation that they considered becoming a donor.
“We had been regular donors at the Blood Drive at Ministry Good Samaritan, but had no idea we could be a living organ donor,” said Eunice Mann. “We know people who have received organ donations and are on dialysis so it just seemed like the right thing to do.”
Eunice was quickly ruled out as a donor, but Stephen qualified as a Humanitarian Donor and donated a kidney to someone he did not know in March of 2013. They will share their story and reflect on the donation process as part of a Gift of Life Educational Program at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center on Wednesday, April 16 from Noon-4 p.m. in the DeAngelis Room.
From Noon – 2 p.m., representatives from the University of Wisconsin Organ and Tissue Donation service will be on hand to answer questions and provide the opportunity to sign up for Wisconsin’s Donor Registry. At 2 p.m., a panel presentation by living donors, recipients and family members will take place with a question and answer session.
“Our goal is to educate as many people as possible about the organ and tissue donation,” said Sue Kruger, Chaplain at Ministry Good Samaritan. “There are many misconceptions about eligibility and the donation process and this program will share the personal stories of people right here in our community.”
Advance registration is not required and refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 715-539-2187.