Elderhood Project: Organ Donation

Reported by: Kirk Matthews | KHON2 

A beautiful book titled "na Makana pau ole" - - gifts without end - - includes stories of organ donors. It is a reflection of something called the Hawaii family donor quilt, supported by people like Sandy Pohl whose daughter was an organ donor.

"It was something that she wanted to do and it was our only hope at that moment so we said yes as a family, knowing that that was also her wish," said Sandy Pohl, the mother of an organ donor.

In the hospital, when a patient is dying, family members are often asked if they want to donate organs.

"Not everybody gets asked," Pohl said. "So it's important. Because at that moment when you're making that decision, when families are asked, you're not thinking very straight - it's very emotional."

Age is not a factor when it comes to being a donor. Charlie Chong's wife was a donor.

"I followed her wishes and had her organs donated and it turned out through that process, the healing process of going through that and seeing what it does and how it helps people, it's very beneficial," said Chong.

The book allows families to tell stories about the loved ones they have lost - but who have helped other people live.

"And one of the quotes in the gift that we give out was that a pebble never knows when or where its ripple will touch shore," said Chong. "And the ripple effect of that gift goes out touching all people, especially to the recipients and their family."

Our story wouldn't be complete without hearing from Cherilyn Rabago who received a kidney/pancreas transplant from Dusty Rapoza of the Big Island.

"It's just a blessing, a true blessing to be able to experience a second chance in life and to just live it to the fullest and I want to honor my donor and I told his mom is one promise I will always make is to keep his legacy alive," said organ recipient Cherilyn Rabago.