WKRG.com News
by Devon Walsh
Fri, March 05, 2010 - 8:09 am CST
Devon Walsh
Miller says he has had two extra chances at life, thanks to two life saving transplants. He had a bone marrow transplant as a child, and a liver transplant in 1985. He wasn't sure he would make it, before the second transplant. "When I got that transplant they gave me a couple of months to live." He just wishes more people would check "yes" to organ donation on their driver's license. "Why would you not be an organ donor? Heaven knows we need those organs here."
The reality is, only 22 percent of Alabama drivers agree to be donors on their driver's license. That's roughly one in five. University of South Alabama Transplant Coordinator, Schelle Watts, says people just don't talk about organ donation because death is an uncomfortable topic, but one that families need to discuss. She also says there are myths surrounding organ donation such as: doctors will pull life support early, if you are an organ donor, or that there is a cost associated with donating a loved ones organs. Neither are true. She says it's frustrating because, just in the state of Alabama, over three thousand people are waiting for an organ. "You can give them a time of how long they will wait, but there is no guarantee. There is no guarantee that when a patient goes on the transplant list that they are going to get an organ."
David Miller hopes through activities like tomorrow's transplant walk, more people will learn that, organ donation means thousands of lives will be saved, through the gift of life. "I have so many friends now, that I have met who need transplants, that I feel like it is my responsibility to raise awareness so that others can see, one's life donated can save up to five people and can make a difference in up to 50 people's life through tissue donation."
Registration for "A Walk in the Park" begins at 8AM at Langan Park tomorrow morning. It's free, but donations are being accepted to go to the National Kidney Foundation.
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