Every patient's advocate: Organ Donation is the Ultimate gift

Syracuse | Trisha Torrey

Central New Yorkers are grieving the loss of 17-year-old Taylor Fleming, who died after a car accident last week.

In the face of their unimaginable heartbreak and pain, Taylor's parents decided to donate her organs and tissues, knowing that at least something good could come of her death. They realized their loss, and Taylor's donation, will help others by extending their lives, or improving the quality of their lives.

Taylor's eyes will provide sight to someone who has been blind. Her skin will help a burn victim heal. Her lungs may help someone with cystic fibrosis or COPD. Her heart, kidneys and liver will restore lives. Sixty transplants from Taylor's body are already benefiting others.

Like Taylor's parents did on her behalf, we can make the choice to donate our own organs and tissues when the time comes, too --whether we die through tragedy or from natural causes.

Sadly, despite knowing that tens of thousands across the country are waiting for transplants, too few people consider themselves eligible to donate. You may believe you can't be a donor, but you are probably wrong.
Read more: http://blog.syracuse.com/cny/2011/12/every_patients_advocate_organ_donation_is_the_ultimate_gift.html