My blog buddy Tony over at BlogCatalog has asked that I write a post today to help raise global awareness about organ donation.  I couldn’t be happier about honoring that request.

Why?  Because organ donation has saved the life of one of my family members.

My niece Mischelle has had kidney problems for most of her life.  Not yet 40 years old, she’s been on dialysis and has had a total of three transplants, two of which she rejected.

The last kidney came from her mother, my sister.  Doris was a very close match, and the doctors all said that with Missy’s fragile immune system, another kidney from a non-blood relative would probably wind up being rejected like the others.  So Doris gave her daughter the gift of life — for the second time.

It’s been about eight years now, and I’m happy to report that both mother and daughter are doing well.   It’s amazing to think about the advances medical professionals have made, and it’s good to know that these dedicated people are working so hard to save lives.

If you are not signed up as an organ donor yet, please do it.  If you would like more information about organ donation, check out this website.  And thank you.  God Bless.