Jose Gutierrez
"We sometimes need to make room in this world for others to live."
In May of 2006, our family made the collective decision to donate our father's organs after he suffered a severe brain trauma. Our decision was based on his belief that we sometimes need to make room in this world for others to live. In that spirit, we knew that organ donation was the right thing to do. Two years later our lives have been deeply enriched by the donation experience.
Our father was a simple and humble man. He enjoyed reading and was an avid supporter of education. He delved into literature and practiced English whenever he could. He enjoyed learning new vocabulary words and completed night courses at our local high school. He loved the ocean, complete with its openness and relaxing feel. Our father enjoyed the outdoors and treasured morning walks when ever we visited new places. We always remember his positive attitude and optimistic view of life. "You can do it, dude" was his response whenever we faced a challenge.
Hearing from one of the recipients of his organs was something we never expected; their letter touched all of us. Through their communication, we connected with the recipient of my father’s heart who expressed his unconditional gratitude for extending his life. We received the letter with delight knowing the recipient was recovering well. However, we yearned for our father and continued to mourn his absence. Just like the recipient's numerous drafts, it took us several attempts to respond to his heartfelt appreciation. Our original intention was to save one person, so learning that three additional recipients benefited was truly an added blessing.
In our father's honor, we attended our first National Kidney Foundation Transplant Games in Pittsburgh this summer. This amazing experience provided another a tangible aspect of organ and tissue donation: the recipient experience. Likewise, the Games provided a deeper opportunity to heal and reflect on his life that continues to enhance the lives of four individuals and their families.
The Games produced a collective energy that embodies the generosity of organ donation and culminated with a tremendous feeling of empowerment and resilience. Transplantation is by far the most technically advanced aspect of modern medicine, yet it's the wonder of human kindness that we marvel – the ability to think outside of ourselves during our deepest loss to save and extend the lives of others.
During the Games we were consumed by tears of sadness, tears of joy, and an underlying feeling that we must look forward despite our painful loss. Our cheers and team posters supported the athletes, yet in a broader sense, we celebrated life and the immense power that results when we share our experiences with others to form eternal connections. The Transplant Games highlighted the importance of living life, enjoying it, and savoring it with the memories of our loved ones in mind. Thank you, OneLegacy, for providing us with this amazing opportunity. We look forward to attending the 2010 Games in Madison and reconnecting with our newly discovered family.
