Bridges and donors

I probably think about death more than the average person. Part of that may be because I lost my dad when I was an infant. Part of it also may be because my job involves organ transplants, and knowing that when someone dies they can save another person's life. (Or save many lives, depending on the circumstances.)

I've had the organ donor designation on my driver's license as long as I can remember--probably since I first got my license when I was 16. At that time my mom worked in the labs that ran the tests on the drugs that allow organ transplants to work. In a way, those drugs, called immunosuppressants, are the bridge between an organ donor and the recipient.

For a lot of reasons I thought it was appropriate to work on raising the money to build the Hoi Yen Bridge. Bridges are great connectors of people and of places and carry so much symbolism. I knew this bridge would make the walk to school both shorter and safer for the children in the area. But I don't think I realized until I got there that they would seem so happy about it!

It was really great to meet them and to know that I've been able to make a positive impact in their lives...the bridge is really just the mechanism put into place to allow all sorts of good things to happen for them. (I'm hoping.)

And if I died tomorrow, I know I wouldn't die feeling like I hadn't accomplished anything. I'd just want to tell people to keep contributing to causes like this--because it feels great, and children (and all people) matter.