Organ donations bring a sliver of good to an unspeakable tragedy
But thanks to the unselfish decision of Ginger and Michael Mummery, the death of their baby girl, Kalea, will help save the lives of three other children.
Kalea was taken off life support and died at The Children’s Hospital in Aurora on June 29. She was injured in an accident at her day care when her head became wedged between a mattress and the side of a playpen, cutting off her ability to breath.
The Mummerys had already lost one infant, a child who died at 9 days old from a rare blood disorder. In this case, they had to make the decision to take Kalea off life support after several days in the hospital.
But in the middle of their agonizing grief, the Mummerys made the decision to donate Kalea’s organs. Her kidneys and two heart valves went to help three other ailing children.
It’s not an easy decision. Organ donation is a very personal decision for loved ones. It is also brave and selfless choice.
According to the Donor Alliance, the federally designated organ procurement organization serving Colorado and most of Wyoming, 2010 was a record year for the number of organ donations.
The group recorded 394 organs transplanted from 130 donors in their coverage area. The organization also helped facilitate 1,024 tissue donations, providing bone and skin grafts to recipients.
Colorado residents have a great participation rate in the organ donor program. At the close of 2010, 65.7 percent of Colorado’s licensed drivers and ID card holders had joined the organ donor registry.
If you are not already a donor, it is simple to register. Many do it when they renew their drivers’ license through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
You can also sign up online at the state’s donor registry, which can be found online at www.donatelife colorado.org. You must be 18 years old to join the registry. Parents of minor children must make the decision to donate their children’s organs or tissue.
Organ donation is a serious decision, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The Donor Alliance recommends discussing it with your family or loved ones before signing up.
Donating organs is a way to continue a small portion of a life taken too early, to have some good come from an unspeakable tragedy.
Kalea’s aunt, Heather Shubert, said the Mummerys just wanted to help.
“The thought of saving another child’s life is a big factor in the decision they made,” she said.
We hope everyone will seriously consider joining the organ donor registry.
Organ donation is widely accepted and promoted by individuals, organizations, churches and medical groups.
Visit www.donatelifecolorado.org to learn more about organ donation.
It takes only a few minutes to possibly save someone’s life.
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