Byesville Rotary urged to “Donate Life”

Pictured: Randy Sheline and Kathy Warhola showing Donate Life Donor Quilt.

Kathy Warhola, regional representative for Lifeline of Ohio, asked Rotary members to “…make a commitment to continue to help people after you are gone.”

She was accompanied by Randy Sheline, an organ recipient, who said, “The [organ transplant] surgery saved my life.” He pointed out that because someone was willing to be an organ donor, he had a second chance at life.

He received 6 organs during his original surgery. Two years later, he received a 2ed kidney. The organ donation allowed him to return to work and lead a normal life.

Kathy pointed to a quilt made by family members of people who became organ donors. Each square in the quilt represented a person who was willing to “Donate Life” by registering for the organ donation program. The quilt is one of 11 similar quilts. Each quilt square is made by the family of an organ donor.

Kathy encouraged the members of Byesville Rotary to enroll in the donor registry. To date, approximately 56% of all Ohioans have registered to become organ, eye, and/or tissue donors. She advised each person interested in becoming a donor to let their family know about their desire to become a donor.

At present over 110 thousand people are waiting for organs. One person is added to the list every 10 minutes. Eighteen people die every day because organs were not available. Lack of donated organs is especially acute for people needing kidneys.

Kathy reassured club members that Lifeline transplant teams do not get involved until after a person’s death. A person’s commitment to become a donor will not interfere with medical care. Consent for donation will be confirmed with family members after all lifesaving efforts have been made.

A person agreeing to be a donor can help 50 or more people. All major religions support organ, eye, and tissue donation as an act of charity. The decision to donate will not affect a person’s medical care or cost anything to the donor’s family or estate. Organ donation will not interfere with funeral plans.

For more information about “Donate Life” contact 1-800-525-5667 or www.donatelifeohio.org.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, April 26, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.