Gift of Life Donor Program has volunteers and supporters from all walks of life- from recipients, donor families, living donors, and even general good Samaritans. One particular volunteer coalition, Hearts of Gold is a volunteer group of donor family members, whose aim is to address the specific needs and issues of these families.
The group focuses on how donor families can educate the public about organ and tissue donation, and acts as a support system for other families whose loved ones have made the generous decision to donate in their time of grief. Diane Milbourne, whose husband was a donor, has been a part of Hearts of Gold for over a decade. Through the members’ dedication, the coalition has evolved and grown to be a pillar of support to others who are experiencing similar situations.“About 11 years ago I started attending Hearts of Gold meetings. I was stuck in a very dark place for a very long time after Ed’s death. I attended a widow/widower retreat. At the retreat, I met Father John Large. Father Large told the group that ‘time doesn’t heal; people heal, and healing begins when you make the decision to heal,” said Milbourne.
“Well, I came home from that retreat and made the decision to heal-I started attending Hearts of Gold.” Each month, Hearts of Gold members meet to talk about their life and lend a listening ear to one another.
Read more: http://www.donors1.org/blog/2012/04/23/donor-families-unite-their-hearts-of-gold-to-raise-awareness/
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