Donate Life – Charity Matters

Health January 4, 2013

The amazing gift of life

I mentioned to you the other day that I am both a Pasadena girl, California that is, and an alumnus of an amazing girls school that’s motto is “Actions Not
Words.” This mantra has defined so many alumni of our school and none more than Kelly Langs.

Kelly, went to Mayfield Senior School and was told at a very young age that she needed a lung replacement, although she had never smoked. Kelly passed away a few days ago on New Years Day 2013. Last night Kelly donated her organs, a gift she had waited a lifetime for and now was able to share with others.

I am reposting Kelly’s last words via her blog here which she wrote on Dec 2, 2012, prior to her receiving her own gift of organ donation by someone else on Dec 6, 2012.

True Beauty in Organ Donation:
Organs are precious and they have the ability to keep giving. … It’s the cycle of life, and we as humans have an amazing choice to make in that hour of our end – to give the gift of life to someone next to you who needs it.

It’s not like any other gift you’ll ever have the chance to give again. It’s a onetime thing, and the most precious gift of all, one that you could very well be asking for one day yourself! We’re all human, we all function on organs and we’re all part of this cycle of life – together.

I’m on the transplant list, waiting for lungs. I’m also a registered organ donor in case there’s anything of quality and strength that can be passed on. I know my eyes are awesome, 20/20 vision! So someone will be able to see for the first time when I leave this body. That truly makes me happy and makes me feel like I’ve chosen the ultimate human gift!

You can give the gift of life too.

In honor of Kelly we have set up a way for you to become a registered organ donor. If you feel you have learned from Kelly’s journey this is something you should consider. To learn more about becoming an organ donor please click here: http://www.donatelifecalifornia.org/KellyLangs

Multiple people this very second are preparing for their journey to receive the gift of Kelly’s organ donation. They “got the call” a few hours ago and are told “we have a match for you”. They are rushing to the hospital, calling their loved ones with immense anticipation and fear, and probably updating their blogs too. Believe in yourself, Kelly would say to them, everything will be okay. Appreciate every moment.

Kelly donated her organs at 11pm PST, January 3rd. Her liver and both her kidneys will be going to three very lucky people.

During the organ transplant last night at 11pm there was a moment of silence as Kelly’s words above were read out loud in the operating room to honor Kelly’s gift and the remembrance of her life.

“Actions Not Words” Kelly.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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Holidays and Holiday Giving January 2, 2013

Everyone loves a parade, even the day after

Being a Pasadena girl, I love a good parade as much as anyone, its part of my DNA. This year’s Rose Parade was especially meaningful for me for a handful of reasons.
For starters, a dear friend of mine’s daughter made the Rose Court and this year’s Rose Queen, Vanessa Manjarrez, is a senior at my alma mater Mayfield Senior School. A school thats motto “Actions Not Words,” has become a life mantra for us alums.

It was exactly that, action that I saw in the parade. No, not the horses and marching bands but rather a subtle call to action from service organizations such as the Shriners, the Rotary Club, Kiwanis International and the Lions Club. All organizations whose sole purpose is service to help another.

Not to mention floats from non-profit organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Aids Healthcare Foundation, City of Hope and Donate Life. 85 million people watching those colorful floats going down Colorado Blvd and yet, it’s somehow so much more than dried flowers on a float but rather the message of hope and service.

Wells Fargo made my day when they put boys from Verbum Dei High School in Watts inside their stage-coach. They could have chosen anyone and yet, Wells Fargo chose underserved boys who work to put themselves through high school….again the call to action and a personal highlight because I love this school.

The best part of the parade is right here, click for the most moving moment. http://nbclosangeles.com.

However, the real star of this year’s parade was the Eric Pazz on the Canines with Courage float, which honored dogs who served in the military. It was the surprise reunion between this purple heart winner and his wife and son, that took the entire world audience’s breath away. A real moment of action and love that was palpable. At the end of the day and the beginning of a New Year, isn’t love for one another whats it’s all about?

Definitely a parade to remember….

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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Health January 18, 2012

Donate Life, Jessica Melore’s story

I was recently reading Glamour magazine and came across the amazing story of Jessica Melore. She is so inspiring that I needed to share it with you.

Jessica was 16 when she suffered a massive heart attack. She waited 9 months for a miracle, a heart transplant.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iggsojoIlAg]

Today, Jessica is 30 and due to the gift of life she has attended Princeton University, interned at Good Morning America, Sesame Street, and New York City’s Lincoln Center. She is an advocate for youth with disabilities and a beacon of hope for the 110,000 people waiting for an organ donation today.

Jessica is working with Donate Life America on their 20 Million in 2012 campaign, to increase donor registration in state registries. “I am so proud to be part of Donate Life America’s 20 Million in 2012 campaign. Real life stories like mine can inspire people to sign up to be organ, eye and tissue donors, and provide hope to the more than 110,000 men, women and children on the organ transplant waiting list.”

Jessica is committed to giving every person waiting for a transplant a second chance at life. Will you? I just did.

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2012 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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