Church music helping build organ donor base

WKBN 27

Pastor Willie Peterson and First Lady Ella Peterson, of New Birth-Kimmelbrook Baptist Church, are on a mission to increase the number of organ donors in the Valley.

"I always say I'm 3-years-old because I had another opportunity," Ella said. "Somebody gave me that chance to live."

Thanksgiving Day 2008, Ella was in the operating room at the Cleveland Clinic getting a donor liver put into her body. Her second chance at life happened about a month after being on the transplant list. Ella realizes things don't often happen that fast and for some, an organ never comes.

"The only prayer that I prayed when it came to that was the fact that Lord whatever you're going to do, do it quickly," Ella said. "And 40 days is pretty quick."

The Petersons want to increase donor numbers across the board, but are targeting their recruitment efforts to minorities.
Read more: http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/Church-Music-Helping-Build-Organ-Donor-Base/AJb09AtiB02YGvPDjM19NQ.cspx