Ever dream about what it must be like to save a life? What about seven?
Well, the seemingly insurmountable barrier between dreaming it and doing it is as easy to cross as joining the Donate Life Team to participate in the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, the McDonald’s Half Marathon or the NTELOS 8k on November 15th.
“Donate Life Virginia is so excited to be a part of the SunTrust Richmond Marathon and all the race activities,” says Dena Reynolds, Donate Life Virginia spokesperson. “It is a tremendous opportunity for us to educate others about the organ, eye and tissue donation. There is a critical shortage of donors and all the race activities bring to light how we can all save and enhance lives.”
On average, three Virginians die each week waiting for a life-saving organ transplant that never arrives.
Right now 100,000 Americans are waiting for a transplant, with 2,500 of those here in the Commonwealth. And what’s amazing is that one organ donor has the capacity to save seven of those lives in waiting, restore sight to two more and help many others.
Sue Britt, of Weyers Cave, VA was one of those who needed help. Ten years ago, due to a genetic kidney disease, her survival depended on a transplant. The man who answered the call and saved her life was her brother, Jon Roll.
“Organ donors are true heroes and can probably never grasp the true gift they give to others,” says Britt who has responded wonderfully to her brother’s donated kidney. “Their kindess can never be repaid.”
Or can it? This is the fifth year that Britt will join her sister, Leslie Cochran, to participate in the NTELOS 8k as members of the Donate Life Team. And like her sister, Cochran is alive thanks to receiving a kidney transplant. This one was a gift from her good friend Marilee Kerns.
But it is not just the gift, or the life-saving gesture, it is the commitment to spreading the word that matters to Britt and her friends and family. In 2006, Britt, Cochran and Kerns were Donate Life Teammates, while the previous year, Britt was joined by her life-saving brother Jon to spread the word at the NTELOS 8k.
“More than 100 people touched by donation and transplantation are participating in the SunTrust Richmond Marathon, the McDonald’s Half Marathon or the NTELOS 8k as members of the Donate Life Team,” says Reynolds. “Their goal is to educate people about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. They will wear green Donate Life T-shirts to help spread the word about recycling life.”
If it is your dream to save a life, or two, or seven, you can register to be an organ donor at www.save7lives.com. You can also sign up to be a member of the Donate Life Team to participate the NTELOS 8k, the McDonald’s Half Marathon, or the SunTrust Richmond Marathon at www.richmondmarathon.com.
With Team Donate Life, saving a life is as easy as walking down the street.