Had an amazing day today – I don’t know if I can express the inspiration, gratitude, amazing overwhelming thankfulness that we have for our Liver Tale. We were invited by TRIO Greater Cleveland to participate in an amazing ceremony today for Donor Sabbath Weekend.
We were surrounded and embraced by such an incredible group of people – recipients, families of donors, medical team members, families and people all who have been part of the 2nd chance of life circle.
The Church Mary Queen of Peace graciously invited us in and the most amazing A Cappella Choir from The Heights High School - sang IN.CRED.I.BLY. I will post a video to showcase some of the angelic sounds.
We listened, silently cheered, tearfully mourned, celebrated and cherished the true miracle of Organ Donation & Transplantation.
Marie Budev – Medical Director, Lung Transplant Program Cleveland Clinic was the keynote speaker, she shared with us some incredible stories that she has encountered.
There was one thing that really stayed with me.
She talked about something she shares with some of her patients that for each transplant there is 150-200 people involved who truly made the transplant possible.
Let me just go Traci here for a second – “ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?? OMG I KNEW IT WAS A LOT BUT HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!” I cannot.even. Do you know what a MISSION that is? Do you know what an AMAZING FEAT that is?
Here is something to ponder. When I think of what Brodie and I went through with our team at @Cleveland Clinic Children's - I am only left with this thought:
• 200 people got up knowing they were coming in to save a little, little boys life.
• 200 people got up to come into work knowing they were helping a Mama try, try, try to save her little boys life.
• 200 people got up to come into work knowing that there were two peoples lives in their hands.
• 200 people got up to come into work to create a 2nd chance
• 200 people had to leave their lives, 100% focus and make sure there were no errors for a miracle to happen
Amazing.
We then had a beautiful candle ceremony honoring donors – it highlighted how one donor family saying yes to organ and tissue donation of a loved one is able to save the lives of eight people and enhance the lives of more than 50 individuals.
We then had a beautiful reading by Beth Hyland a Social Worker on the Lung Transplant Team at the Cleveland Clinic. She read STRENGTH by Ms. Moem. I loved a verse out of it:
Don’t Underestimate the silent strength that you don’t even know you possess.
And then we had some beautiful reflection by Suzanne Himes – President of TRIO Greater Cleveland
And to bring it home nothing better than the amazing song “FOR GOOD” by Stephen Schwartz – (also the last song in WICKED) - this choir. Chills. Amazing. Happy Tears.
Through this journey we have discovered this amazing world of rebirth and second chances because of the power of organ donation.
• 120,000 men, women and children await lifesaving organ transplants.
• More than 1,000 of them are 10 years old or younger.
• About 58% of patients awaiting lifesaving transplants are minorities.
• Another person is added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list every 10 minutes.
• Sadly, 8,000 people die each year - 22 people each day, almost 1 every hour - because the organs they need are not donated in time.
Please say a prayer for those who have gifted life after a life lost, received life through donation, lived to donate life and those who are waiting for their name to be called off the list.
We will continue encourage others to BE THE GOOD and DO LIFE.
Give Life. Gift Life. It is amazing.
#BGVT #bethegooddolife #DOnateLIFE #brodiesgoodvibetribe#TIGUEtough #sliverofliver #biliaryatresiawarrior #thegoodstuff #give2live#donorsabbath
