Donate LIfe Month 2018

Did you know April was Donate Life Month?  Did you know there was a Donate Life Month and what it's bringing awareness too? For those of you that do, you might be wondering if there really are people who don't know what it is.  You'd be shocked. I was also surprised at how many people are not organ donors. I for one am thankful that most people I know are registered and support organ donation. I love you guys.  I love the rest of you too, no worries. But we should talk.

Sometimes I wonder, why other ORGANizations have such a huge following and overflowing support.  Meanwhile, I only see talk of Donate Life and organ donation pop up a few times a year.  And it's usually from the few people I know who have been directly affected.  Either they had a transplant or their child or another family member did. Why aren't we talking about this?


I remember going to our first Donate Life Walk here in San Antonio back in 2010.  There were green and blue balloons everywhere.  The whole park was filled with people and I thought, wow, look at all these people that came out to support something that is going to save my life!  Then I saw the turn out the Rock and Roll Marathon.  Over 30 thousand people showed up for that.

A few years back I got to talk to the President and CEO of Donate Life.  If I remember correctly he was in between flights or meetings but still took the time out of his day to talk to me about what we can do.  He said there is so much negativity and fear surrounding organ donation that its hard for people to talk about it. That makes sense.  I have been told more than once that talking about my needing a liver and encouraging people to register makes me look like I am wanting peoples organs and wishing bad things to happen to them.  I would never ever.  It's not about just me.  Yes, I need a liver.  But I am not alone.  There are others who need life-saving transplants too.
114,931

That is the number of people on the transplant list right now.  114, 930 other people are waiting with me.  

April is always a reminder to me to share more.  I have been really bad about that.  I have so many drafts just sitting there waiting to get kicked out and posted.  I need to work on that.  I started this blog with intentions of giving hope to anyone who was diagnosed with Budd Chiari and show them that they could live a good full life.  Real talk people... Because it is an invisible illness, it has to be pointed out.  And always pointing it out can get a little awkward at times.  Those who know me, know I don't ever mean to be depressing or dark.  I'm the complete opposite.  I am hardly ever serious and always laughing.  But life with a chronic illness isn't pretty.  It's a fine line to balance.  And something I need to figure out how to do with grace.  I should do a Q and A.  That would be fun!  Now I'm rambling. I should probably just shut this down and take myself to bed

So tell me,  are you an organ donor?  Have you talked to your family about your wishes?  Not a donor?  We can talk about that too!