Once upon a time I knew an amazing soul named Leah.
Leah and I became great friends and met online in a video game. We met in person once and we became soul friends for a lifetime. She lived in California, and I lived in Minnesota. Leah had cystic fibrous. She was born with it and she would die with it some day. I learned that our time together would be limited unless she got a new pair of lungs. She inspired me to care about organ donation and to live every day like I was breathing my last breath.
She never really complained. I saw her do fundraising and turn her illness into force to be reckoned with. She became a leader and an inspiration to all those around her and those struggling with the same condition. Leah was a fierce advocate for anyone who was struggling in life. I miss her every day. I will still leave comments on her Facebook when I want to tell her I miss her and love her.
Leah did not get to live long on this earth but I am thankful to her donor. If that donor did not exist… I would not have had the opportunity to get to know her, and to call her my friend.. If I remember right she received her donation when she was a teenager. After some time her donor lungs and heart were damaged to the point that she would need a new heart & lung system. Transplant is a treatment, not a cure. The plan had been to donate her heart and in exchange she would get a new heart/lung set. Not long after that plan was disclosed, she disclosed that she now had Cancer. She passed away right before Covid-19 from Cancer while waiting for her next lung transplant. Our friendship and her death left a lasting impression upon me.
5 years later and I am now facing my husband needing a kidney.
Donate life because when you donate life it creates a ripple effect for the entire family. When you donate life, my children get to watch their father get his energy back and they get to experience precious years with him. Donate life for all of those waiting on the lists for another chance. And if you cannot donate life – celebrate each moment and be grateful for your health. Do not take your loved ones for granted and go tell your loved ones that you love them. And when everything feels dark – look for the helpers.
If you are interested in registering to be an organ donor, please check out your local options. If you are a resident of British Columbia, you can do so by clicking here. I am now registered – In memory of Leah and for Tyler. ❤
Kidney Soul 