No fooling!

Happy April Fool's day...the day all 7 year old boys look forward to with great expectation...as well as a few "grown" men too. My mother used to always fool me and my brother every April Fool's day by waking us up a little bit early saying "it snowed last night!". And dumb as we were (snow in Atlanta...in APRIL??) we always jumped out of bed and ran to our respective windows. I'm sure I'll do the same to mine. ;) Carry on the tradition sort of thing.

But I also want to let everyone know something about April that you might not know about already: April is Donate Life month. I was never aware of it myself until December when Matthew went on hemo. This month is highly celebrated at the transplant center with guest speakers, support groups and prayers/memorials for those that didn't make it to get their gift of life.

Donation, both living and nonliving, is the single most precious gift you can give to someone. It is your choice! Yes, we believe it is our choice to have children and give life in that way, but God makes that ultimate decision. This gift of life is by our own free will...and trust me, that persons ENTIRE family will be forever grateful and humbled. The transplantation process is the "success story" of the medical world. To take out a failed or failing organ and give that person a second chance to do anything...remarkable! Giving hope, memories and time...you just can't buy that with a gift card!

We are less than 2 kilos away from starting up the testing process for Matthew. I pray every night that my bout with kidney stones back in 2000 will not hinder me from giving Matthew one of my kidneys!! Whenever my little one has a bad day, I think ahead to the promise of so much more for him...a normal life. A renewed life. LIFE!

Here are some donation facts I would like to share with you:
Despite continuing efforts at public education, misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation persist. Learn these facts to help you better understand organ, eye and tissue donation:

Fact: Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.

Fact: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.

Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.

Fact: When you are on the waiting list for an organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information, not your financial status or celebrity status.

Fact: An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.

Fact: There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation.

Fact: Signing a donor card and a driver's license with an "organ donor" designation may not satisfy your state's requirements to become a donor. Be certain to take the necessary steps to be a donor and ensure that your family understands your wishes.

Please, consider donation and talk to your families. Many people are not aware of the possibility or do not want to talk to family members for fear of creating "issues". Talk to your family...please...for all the Matthew's in this world. Don't take away their chance to live.