Firefighters and Organ Donors: A Common Purpose

By James Lomuscio | Westport Now

Not everyone gets the chance to save another’s life the way a firefighter, EMT or police officer does, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes told a group at Westport Fire Headquarters today.

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff (r) welcomes Westport heart transplant patient Adrian Pace and his wife Jenny to today’s Westport Fire Headquarters ceremony.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“But you can save a life,” stressed Himes. “You can be an organ donor. “This is our opportunity as civilians,” he added. “There are 110,000 of our fellow Americans looking at passing away if no one steps up.”

With that, Himes flashed his driver’s license, letting those present know he is a registered organ donor.

The ceremony, designed to raise awareness of April as National Donate Life Month, was held where two firefighters last year launched an organ and tissue donation program. They registered more than 60 members of the department, firefighters whose organs, upon their deaths, will go to those who need them.

Dubbed “Firefighters Going Furthur,” the program is the brainchild of Joe Arnson and Peter Janulis who said they had been inspired last August after attending a concert by the band, Furthur, in Philadelphia.

Following the concert, the band’s bass player talked about his liver transplant and the need for organ donors.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes tells today’s Donate for Life event that he has signed up to be an organ donor. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“We heard it and got inspired,” said Arnson. “Our job is to save lives, and so do organ donors. It was an easy transition.”

In addition to Himes, present at the ceremony were First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, Kari Mull, program director for Donate Life Connecticut, Fire Chief Christopher Ackley and individuals who had received transplants.

Westporter Adrian Pace, a heart transplant recipient, and his wife Jenny Pace showed up after reading an advance notice of the event on WestportNow. As soon as Himes, Joseloff, and Arnson heard his story, Pace was quickly asked to come to the podium.

“There are not enough donors,” said Pace, 41. “I waited in the critical care unit for nine months at New York Presbyterian.”

“We have two children and they have their father back,” his wife chimed in.

Standing tall, proud and energetic was George Carman, a firefighter from Gloucester, Maine. Born with cystic fibrosis and told by his doctor not to become a firefighter, the 21-year veteran received a double lung transplant on Feb 3.

George Carman, a firefighter from Gloucester, Maine, tells today’s ceremony about his double lung transplant eight weeks ago. Listening are (l-r) Fire Chief Christopher Ackley, First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“I feel awesome,” the uniformed 45-year-old said in between swigs from a water bottle. “Before I only had 19 percent lung function, and I was on eight liters of oxygen a day. Now I have 109 percent lung function, and my (oxygen) stats are fine.

“We’re thankful for the gift of life,” he added. “I have a second chance at life, and it’s awesome.’

Mull, who began working with Donate Life following the death of a her 22-year-old sister Amanda in a car accident, said that too many people avoid becoming organ donors when they are issued or renew driver’s licenses because of myths and misconceptions.

One misconception is that most major religions oppose organ donations, when in fact they do not. Donate Life Connecticut volunteer Kathleen Viery of Fairfield noted that her sister, a Catholic nun, had donated her eyes.

Another misconception, Mull said, is that families of deceased donors will not be able to have an open casket. They will, according to Donate Life policy, since the recovery of organs and tissues are performed by qualified surgeons.

Westport Firefiighter Joe Arnson, who helped organize today’s ceremony, chats with Westport heart transplant patient Adrian Pace and his wife Jenny. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Ackley said he was proud of his rank and file for coming up with another way to help people. Joseloff agreed.

“Here is yet another example of how one department has taken the lead that will echo throughout the nation,” Joseloff said. “It makes me very proud.”

And about those who remain squeamish about becoming organ donors?

“Here’s one way to sum it up,” said Joseloff. “It doesn’t hurt.”

The ceremony was capped outside by the department’s raising of a Donate Life flag that had been signed by firefighters and the speakers.

Mull suggested that anyone interested in becoming an organ and tissue donor register online at http://www.donatelifenewengland.org.