 His legacy |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Mid-America Transplant Services
I recieved this letter from MTS....along with the "Gift of Life Donor Medal" that will go on our monument when it is complete (thanks, Sonya):
October 13, 2005.
Dear Sonya:
We at Mid-America Transplant Services would like to take a moment to honor your decision to pass life on. In memory of Kevin, please accept the "Gift of Life Donor Medal" that is enclosed. The medal was designed to symbolize your generous gift, which has helped to save or improve the lives of others.
Recipients of this medal have used it by placing it as a memorial or marker at the cemetery, putting the medal in a plaque, or displaying the medal in a cabinet or shadowbox in their home. However you choose to use this gift, it is our hope that you feel and know how important your loved one's donation is to others.
In honor of those who gave, on behalf of those who recieved and with hope for those who continue to wait, we say thank you. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at (314)991-1661 or toll free at (800)925-3666.
Sincerely,
Merry Smith
Family Support Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Donor Sabbath Ceremony ~ November 6, 2005.
Today Jennifer and I attended the Donor Sabboth Ceremony. It is an annual event held by MTS. The services were held at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood Missouri at five o'clock.
We were welcomed and told about the special gift you gave, you were able to donate your eyes, to possibly help someone else see. You were able to give your heart valves to a little girl or boy who's heart wouldn't have beaten without you! You gave so much, and they were so proud of that gift! There were so many people at the ceremony. The tears started at 5 and were still flowing as we were exiting the church. The stories that the guest speakers told about the gifts they recieved and how much the donor families meant to them, just made me know that I chose the right thing when they asked me if you were an organ/tissue donor. Jeremy Becker spoke about the tissue he recieved that repaired his knee in 2001, and of the marathon he and his wife will run in January 2006, and how it will be ran for each donor that has left this earth to go to heaven! That was very touching, to hear him speak those words. It was so unreal, just thought we were watching something in honor of someone else, until we saw your picture go up on the screen, for just a split second, it meant you were really gone! But your legacy will live on in those people that you helped! I love you Kevin!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update from Mid-America Transplant Services December 2, 2005.
I recieved a letter December 2, 2005 reguarding Kevin's donation to MTS in St Louis MO. Linda Martin, Director of Eye and Tissue Bank wrote:
"...Hundreds of people depend on the generosity of people such as you. It is deeply moving when one considers the needs of others at the time of their own loss. Through your kindness, the donation of your husband's tissues will help give new life to many who need transplants.
We hope that it is of some comfort to you to know that your gift will result in the improved quality of life for several people. Area orthopedic and neurosurgeons will use the bone tissue to improve the quality of life for as many as 30-50 people. Heart valves are in great demand and are primarily used for pediatric patients with correctable heart conditions. Saphenous and femoral veins are used in vascular-type surgery. Skin grafts are also in great demand and are used in patients of all ages to help heal many thermal, chemical or electrical burns. At the time of death and before evaluation, it was not known whether the corneas would ultimately be suitable for transplantation. After careful evaluation, our lab results revealed that the corneas were not transplantable. I am sorry that I cannot report to you more positive information regarding the corneas. The benefits of these donations reach far beyond just the recipients. It also includes an improvement in the lives of their families and friends. ..."
The letter continued with more information reguarding the long list of questions I had to answer to a coordinator over the phone just minutes after viewing Kevin's body. The questions related to his lifestyle and what type of life he led. The person I spoke with told me that if the corneas were donated they would be first evaluated and if there was any damage to them what so ever, they would not be able to use them. After considering the choices, I decided that even if they couldn't use them, at least we tried to donate them. And the giving loving person that Kevin was, he would have wanted that. Such things that may have damaged Kevin's corneas would have been glass or debris of any kind.
"These Gifts of Life will never be forgotten by any of those whom it has benefited."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you have any material to add to this section, please contact the
website manager.
If you are the website manager, you can enter edit mode to upload material by clicking
here. |
|
|
| Bring the memories home by publishing your online memorial as a genuine hardcover keepsake |
|
Add to favorites 
