Facts about Organ and Tissue Donation
• Currently over 95,000 are waiting for organ transplants and thousands more awaiting tissue transplants. People still die while waiting for organ transplants.
• One organ and tissue donor can potentially benefit 60 or more people.
• Organs and tissues recovered for transplantation include heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, small intestines, bone grafts, skin grafts, heart valves, and corneas.
• Even if you have indicated that you wish to be an organ donor on your drivers license your family could still not fulfill your wishes. To ensure your wishes are carried out discuss your intentions to be a donor with your family.
• Donation does not alter the appearance of the body, it will not change funeral arrangements such as an open viewing.
• All major religions approve of organ and tissue donation and consider it an act of charity.
• No costs are incurred by the donor family for organ and tissue donation.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
My Emory talk
Hello friends,
First, foundation news.
The gagrage sale date is set!! April 28th. Mark your calanders.
We will have TWO locations, watch the newspaper and this site for addresses.
We will have new and used items from furniture to DVD's to household items and toys.
We will also be selling baked goods and drinks.
If you would like to donate items, please email me.
Ok. This is cheating a bit, especially since I will be posting the same update later on caringbridge, but I wanted to share the talk I gave this week to the chapalaincy grad students at Emory. It was very difficult, but I think it went well.
My talk:
For anyone who has ever had a child diagnosed with a life threatening illness, there becomes a “before and an “after. A moment in time that divides life as they once knew it forever. Into a “Before and an “after.
On Jan. 21, 2001, I was a “before person. I had a husband, four healthy children, I sang in the praise band at church, and taught Sunday School.
I can tell you the exact moment I became an “after” mom. Jan 22, 2001, Our 7 year old daughter stayed home from first grade with a fever. She was snuggling with her dad, who happened to be a FP doctor. A father’s caress turned into the probing fingers of a doctor on her abdomen. Then he came to tell me the words that started our nightmare. “Her spleen is huge.” I tried to tell myself it was nothing, but I knew in my heart it was something.
And it was
24 hours later, our daughter was in the PICU. 48 hours later she was being transferred to Duke by air ambulance, and on a ventilator after suffering respiratory failure.
Our story is long, but Haley was finally diagnosed with an immune disorder that was attacking her liver. One night in the hospital about six weeks into this new life, Haley was having horrible pain, despite many doses of IV Demerol.
She saod to me, “Mommy, I have been praying so hard. Why doesn’t Jesus just take this away?”
It was like being punched in the stomach. After all, she was an innocent first grader who had been raised in church, believed in prayer, believed God loved her. How could I explain how a loving God could let her suffer. I couldn’t comprehend it myself.
I went into the hall to compose myself, and I prayed, “Lord, I would rather she lose her life than lose her faith. Please let her feel your love”. I reminded myself that God loved Haley even more than I did, and walked back in to her room. I told her I didn’t know why she was still in pain, but what I DID know was “God is real. God loves you. And he never promised us we wouldn’t suffer in life, only that He would never leave us. And He never will leave you.”
We spent the next 5 years on the up and down rollercoaster of this illness. Mostly down.
Haley endured one crushing blow after another. She was hospitalized many times, often,right into the ICU, she needed to be on a ventilator 4 times, she had 2 bone marrow biopsies, 5 liver biopsies, 2 skin biopsies, the added blow of a second life threatening illness, making her one of only 4 in the world with this combination of diseases, she had to have emergency brain surgery and woke up in the ICU with a shaved head.
And know that I am leaving out hundreds of office visits, blood draws, scans, xrays and IV sticks. She has had shingles bad enough to paralyze her foot and her bladder to shut down. She had to be catheterized every six hours for weeks. She went through 2 rounds of chemotherapy in desparation to get control over her immune system. She was placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant, and then taken back off because she was too sick.
While she went through all of this, I saw something amazing taking place.
A miracle, really.
My daughter, in spite of all this unfairness, was growing into a beautiful, compassionate, brave, kind-hearted child.
In spite of taking blow after blow, my daughter’s faith grew. She started writing songs, first funny songs about liver disease, that she gave to other kids struggling…and then, praise music.
We visited a friend in the hospital, she was in pain and really unhappy. Haley and I were staying at The Ronald McDonald House. Haley sat at that kitchen table and wrote a song for her friend…and the next day, she brought it to her and sang for her. She named it “Sarah’s song” and she sang about how God would never leave Sarah, no matter what.
I am happy to tell you that Sarah had a liver transplant a few weeks later, and has not spent a single night in the hospital since then.
I thank God that I started this journey with a strong foundation of faith. Because few things test your faith like watching your child struggle and suffer, and fight, and stand by helplessly. Nothing tests your faith quite as much as watching that child. Why? I asked myself, “If God were going to take her anyway, did she have to suffer, our whole family had to suffer for 5 years? The answer, I believe, is that there are many lessons to be learned through suffering, lessons that can ultimately help others. As a Christian, I am in excellent company, being in the midst of suffering. I can give you example after example of suffering for a greater good all through History. God wants us broken before Him. He does His best work, offers his most amazing grace among the broken hearted and vulnerable. A vulnerable heart is a heart ready to be molded…one way or another.
I think about the moms and dads across the street right now at that Children’s hospital who maybe don’t have such a strong foundation. I know how scary and isolating those hospital walls are. As chaplains, you will have the unique opportunity to reach out and comfort them. And you will find them in all types of states. They will be sad, angry, depressed, numb. And they all need the same thing…love, compassion, and most importantly hope. Hope for this life, and hope for eternal life as well.
When Haley died on October 1, 2005, a big part of me died as well. I lost my daughter and so much more. I lost my own life, my way of living, I lost my innocence and optimism. I lost family and friends who just didn’t understand the depth or length of my grief. I lost my job as her mother and caretaker, I lost my best friend, and I lost my mind.
I truly cannot imagine a worse trauma than losing a child. If there is one, I don’t want to even know what it is. As isolating as her illness was, her death was so much worse. My world shrunk to my bedroom and my living room. I never left my home. I just wanted to curl up in the smallest place I could and never move again. 18 months later, I still feel that way very often.
What I would tell others about grieving a child is pretty simple, but very important.
1. It takes a long, long, long time to get any kind of “life” back. Years. I am no where close.
2. We cry all the time, every day for years. It is normal. Don’t try to make it better. You cannot. Just pass the Kleenex.
3. Visit armed with meaningful scriture, not clichés. Not she’s in a better place. Or God doesn’t give you more than you can bear. UHH Yes he does. But, from the Bible verse, “His grace is suffient for me”…makes sense to us. We can only deal with one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time, and His grace is suffient for that amount of time.
4. And don’t give up. These people need to know someone cares. Keep calling. Leave messages, send emails, and, of course, keep praying.
I’ll leave you with a song about hope and faith, written by a pretty amazing 11 year old girl. In the face of tragedy, my daughter sang.
The song "Everywhere" plays.
Cheryl
First, foundation news.
The gagrage sale date is set!! April 28th. Mark your calanders.
We will have TWO locations, watch the newspaper and this site for addresses.
We will have new and used items from furniture to DVD's to household items and toys.
We will also be selling baked goods and drinks.
If you would like to donate items, please email me.
Ok. This is cheating a bit, especially since I will be posting the same update later on caringbridge, but I wanted to share the talk I gave this week to the chapalaincy grad students at Emory. It was very difficult, but I think it went well.
My talk:
For anyone who has ever had a child diagnosed with a life threatening illness, there becomes a “before and an “after. A moment in time that divides life as they once knew it forever. Into a “Before and an “after.
On Jan. 21, 2001, I was a “before person. I had a husband, four healthy children, I sang in the praise band at church, and taught Sunday School.
I can tell you the exact moment I became an “after” mom. Jan 22, 2001, Our 7 year old daughter stayed home from first grade with a fever. She was snuggling with her dad, who happened to be a FP doctor. A father’s caress turned into the probing fingers of a doctor on her abdomen. Then he came to tell me the words that started our nightmare. “Her spleen is huge.” I tried to tell myself it was nothing, but I knew in my heart it was something.
And it was
24 hours later, our daughter was in the PICU. 48 hours later she was being transferred to Duke by air ambulance, and on a ventilator after suffering respiratory failure.
Our story is long, but Haley was finally diagnosed with an immune disorder that was attacking her liver. One night in the hospital about six weeks into this new life, Haley was having horrible pain, despite many doses of IV Demerol.
She saod to me, “Mommy, I have been praying so hard. Why doesn’t Jesus just take this away?”
It was like being punched in the stomach. After all, she was an innocent first grader who had been raised in church, believed in prayer, believed God loved her. How could I explain how a loving God could let her suffer. I couldn’t comprehend it myself.
I went into the hall to compose myself, and I prayed, “Lord, I would rather she lose her life than lose her faith. Please let her feel your love”. I reminded myself that God loved Haley even more than I did, and walked back in to her room. I told her I didn’t know why she was still in pain, but what I DID know was “God is real. God loves you. And he never promised us we wouldn’t suffer in life, only that He would never leave us. And He never will leave you.”
We spent the next 5 years on the up and down rollercoaster of this illness. Mostly down.
Haley endured one crushing blow after another. She was hospitalized many times, often,right into the ICU, she needed to be on a ventilator 4 times, she had 2 bone marrow biopsies, 5 liver biopsies, 2 skin biopsies, the added blow of a second life threatening illness, making her one of only 4 in the world with this combination of diseases, she had to have emergency brain surgery and woke up in the ICU with a shaved head.
And know that I am leaving out hundreds of office visits, blood draws, scans, xrays and IV sticks. She has had shingles bad enough to paralyze her foot and her bladder to shut down. She had to be catheterized every six hours for weeks. She went through 2 rounds of chemotherapy in desparation to get control over her immune system. She was placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant, and then taken back off because she was too sick.
While she went through all of this, I saw something amazing taking place.
A miracle, really.
My daughter, in spite of all this unfairness, was growing into a beautiful, compassionate, brave, kind-hearted child.
In spite of taking blow after blow, my daughter’s faith grew. She started writing songs, first funny songs about liver disease, that she gave to other kids struggling…and then, praise music.
We visited a friend in the hospital, she was in pain and really unhappy. Haley and I were staying at The Ronald McDonald House. Haley sat at that kitchen table and wrote a song for her friend…and the next day, she brought it to her and sang for her. She named it “Sarah’s song” and she sang about how God would never leave Sarah, no matter what.
I am happy to tell you that Sarah had a liver transplant a few weeks later, and has not spent a single night in the hospital since then.
I thank God that I started this journey with a strong foundation of faith. Because few things test your faith like watching your child struggle and suffer, and fight, and stand by helplessly. Nothing tests your faith quite as much as watching that child. Why? I asked myself, “If God were going to take her anyway, did she have to suffer, our whole family had to suffer for 5 years? The answer, I believe, is that there are many lessons to be learned through suffering, lessons that can ultimately help others. As a Christian, I am in excellent company, being in the midst of suffering. I can give you example after example of suffering for a greater good all through History. God wants us broken before Him. He does His best work, offers his most amazing grace among the broken hearted and vulnerable. A vulnerable heart is a heart ready to be molded…one way or another.
I think about the moms and dads across the street right now at that Children’s hospital who maybe don’t have such a strong foundation. I know how scary and isolating those hospital walls are. As chaplains, you will have the unique opportunity to reach out and comfort them. And you will find them in all types of states. They will be sad, angry, depressed, numb. And they all need the same thing…love, compassion, and most importantly hope. Hope for this life, and hope for eternal life as well.
When Haley died on October 1, 2005, a big part of me died as well. I lost my daughter and so much more. I lost my own life, my way of living, I lost my innocence and optimism. I lost family and friends who just didn’t understand the depth or length of my grief. I lost my job as her mother and caretaker, I lost my best friend, and I lost my mind.
I truly cannot imagine a worse trauma than losing a child. If there is one, I don’t want to even know what it is. As isolating as her illness was, her death was so much worse. My world shrunk to my bedroom and my living room. I never left my home. I just wanted to curl up in the smallest place I could and never move again. 18 months later, I still feel that way very often.
What I would tell others about grieving a child is pretty simple, but very important.
1. It takes a long, long, long time to get any kind of “life” back. Years. I am no where close.
2. We cry all the time, every day for years. It is normal. Don’t try to make it better. You cannot. Just pass the Kleenex.
3. Visit armed with meaningful scriture, not clichés. Not she’s in a better place. Or God doesn’t give you more than you can bear. UHH Yes he does. But, from the Bible verse, “His grace is suffient for me”…makes sense to us. We can only deal with one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time, and His grace is suffient for that amount of time.
4. And don’t give up. These people need to know someone cares. Keep calling. Leave messages, send emails, and, of course, keep praying.
I’ll leave you with a song about hope and faith, written by a pretty amazing 11 year old girl. In the face of tragedy, my daughter sang.
The song "Everywhere" plays.
Cheryl
Monday, March 19, 2007
Happy Monday Friends
Did anyone see the Saturday night live where they parodied Oprah and "The Secret". It was hilarious, and so true.
The author is all into this mind over matter-positive energy thing.
Please. How can anyone say, 'If you think it, it will happen." That is someone who hasn't gone through many tragedies. She actually said, "If you want to be skinny, do not look at fat people."
Are you kidding me???
According to the secret, you can look at your food, THINK it has no calories, and then eat all you want. Don't want to be sick? Think you are not, and you won't be. What happens if you never want to die? Just think you can live forever and you will.
Doesn't anyone else see the absolute insanity in this?
And Oprah hanging on every word. She should know better. People listen to her, and she is influencing some very lost and troubled souls in the wrong direction.
The universe isn't about positive and negative "energy".
It is about good and evil.
Right and Wrong.
God and Satan.
Take some responsibility.
It isn't about an easy 'feel good' solution.
Good Grief.
I'll probably get in trouble for blasting Oprah, but...oh well.
HMMM...I'd love to hear what you all think.
Make a comment.
The author is all into this mind over matter-positive energy thing.
Please. How can anyone say, 'If you think it, it will happen." That is someone who hasn't gone through many tragedies. She actually said, "If you want to be skinny, do not look at fat people."
Are you kidding me???
According to the secret, you can look at your food, THINK it has no calories, and then eat all you want. Don't want to be sick? Think you are not, and you won't be. What happens if you never want to die? Just think you can live forever and you will.
Doesn't anyone else see the absolute insanity in this?
And Oprah hanging on every word. She should know better. People listen to her, and she is influencing some very lost and troubled souls in the wrong direction.
The universe isn't about positive and negative "energy".
It is about good and evil.
Right and Wrong.
God and Satan.
Take some responsibility.
It isn't about an easy 'feel good' solution.
Good Grief.
I'll probably get in trouble for blasting Oprah, but...oh well.
HMMM...I'd love to hear what you all think.
Make a comment.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Pampered Chef Party
I've updated the layout of the fundraising opportunities page and added information about the Pampered Chef Party on Thursday, March 22nd to the Kingsport page. Check it out!
http://www.thehaleyvincentfoundation.com/FundraisingOps-Kpt.htm
http://www.thehaleyvincentfoundation.com/FundraisingOps-Kpt.htm
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
(no subject)
Oh I hope it places paragraphs this time... instead of one big run on sentence I find it incredibly interesting that once Cheryl and I decide... "lets blog every monday" that suddenly two women who never shut up, are both with out words. I feel like I have nothing to say. Speechless... SO I dig deep into my heart and say what I need to say. Thank you to those that support families who have children with special needs. Do you know what I mean when I say this?? I mean THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO HANG IN THERE. For those who step up to the plate when you see someone hurting.. needing you.. for not turning your back. I remember YEARS ago, Cheryl and I talking about how difficult it is to make friends when you have a sick child like Aiden or Haley. How most people assume we are too high maintence; (we are) that it is too painful to be our friend. (it can be) I remember exactly why we had this conversation and how although it was over 3 years ago, it still rings true today. Thank you to those who stick it out. I find it most interesting, that it isn't usually your family that gathers together it is often your "new family". As I like to call my friends I have made a long the way. Of course there is always the priceless grandparents or a brother here and there... who are always there, but start reaching outwards in the ranks of families and you see them dissapear. I just really wanted to embrace those who have loved-ones with sick children and say THANK YOU for not turning your backs. Because I know you wouldn't be reading this blog if you weren't linked to the foundation, and if you surely weren't linked to the foundation because you were on ebay and took a wrong turn. This is your life too. Maybe not your child....but you are effected and have decided to stick in there. This foundation is about "Helping... one child at a time"... We send packages to families with sick children because we care... and also because we are picking up the slack of those who don't care. I CAN actually count the number of care packages we have recieved since Aiden was born. If you take Cheryl out of the picture as my sender... I probably can use one hand. But with that one hand... I count the most precious moments. The most valuable people I know.... And that has been a gift that is more precious than what is IN the box any day. Go hug a friend in need today.... don't wait till it is easy for YOU... because honestly it is MUCH harder for THEM to ask for the hug. Lisa
**************************************
AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Is it Wednesday, already?
I Know! I said every Monday...but my computer was off line. We were painting our bonus room, a lovely shade of peach in case you are interested, and every thing had to be disconnected.
I read somewhere, recently, that the color orange helped depression...so now, I am all about the color orange...or peach. :) Can't hurt.
I want to put in the foundation info I know first....
We had to pay $3000.00 in legal fees. Ouch. Ouch. It's only a one time thing, but it hurt our bank account sorely.
So, we are focusing on making these next fundraisers a huge success, and getting the word out.
In April, we will have a simultaneous two location yard sale. We need donations, volunteers, folding tables, clothes rods, etc.
The types of things we want are toys, books, DVD's, household item, electronics, CD's, furniture, gently used childrens clothing. Please, nothing broken, and no adult clothes.
If you can advertise that we are accepting donations at your church or other group, we would appreciate it.
We will also need community support to publicize it. As soon as I have a definite date, I will let everyone know.
Feel free to email me at
bandcvincent@aol.com with any questions.
I have put prayer requests up on our caringbridge site. I hope to have a prayer page up and running here also. Go visit, it is a good reminder of why we do what we do.
http://www.caringbridge.org/ga/haley
I read somewhere, recently, that the color orange helped depression...so now, I am all about the color orange...or peach. :) Can't hurt.
I want to put in the foundation info I know first....
We had to pay $3000.00 in legal fees. Ouch. Ouch. It's only a one time thing, but it hurt our bank account sorely.
So, we are focusing on making these next fundraisers a huge success, and getting the word out.
In April, we will have a simultaneous two location yard sale. We need donations, volunteers, folding tables, clothes rods, etc.
The types of things we want are toys, books, DVD's, household item, electronics, CD's, furniture, gently used childrens clothing. Please, nothing broken, and no adult clothes.
If you can advertise that we are accepting donations at your church or other group, we would appreciate it.
We will also need community support to publicize it. As soon as I have a definite date, I will let everyone know.
Feel free to email me at
bandcvincent@aol.com with any questions.
I have put prayer requests up on our caringbridge site. I hope to have a prayer page up and running here also. Go visit, it is a good reminder of why we do what we do.
http://www.caringbridge.org/ga/haley
Monday, February 26, 2007
Organ Donation (Lisa)
Lisa here...Blogging… Wow I feel so cool. Did you know that 17 people die every DAY just waiting for organs?When I read that I have to stop and imagine. Do I even have 17 friends that I could imagine dying in a day? And then 17 more in the next... and again by the end of the week loose 119 friends and family. It isn't like these children (and adults) who die waiting for organs DON'T have modern medicine on their sides. It isn't like there isn't something out there to save their lives… instead medicine HAS advanced, it figured out how to take organs from one person and save another! The doctors DID their part. They figured out how to save dying babies, how to give life to little girls like Haley, to give others chances to graduate high school, and to become parent's of their own. So what are we waiting on?? Why are they still dying?? Ohhh yeah that is because people don't CHOOSE to help. We aren't talking traveling to the edge of Africa for some miracle drug…we are talking about organ donation. It seems crazy to me… that in a country where we will take such pride in protecting children, giving an education, futures and hope to children, we also just let them die in hospitals. The hope for the future is organ donation for these kids, yet it is a "touchy topic" and no one wants to talk about the fact we will all die one day. So, let's just ignore it. When Aiden was born with Biliary Atresia and then shortly after they said he needed a liver transplant, I figured... "Then go get him one." I had a big awakening when they said there was a massive shortage and people died everyday not getting what they needed. Huh? I had NO clue that this was happening in hospitals all over our country. Why hasn't the public been notified? OK folks read this and say it out loud:Just signing your driver's license means NOTHING. You HAVE to tell your next of kin. They make that choice. Why didn't they tell me that when I signed my driver's license? It seems so simple. I talk to a lot of people who think, "I can't donate my organs. I had cancer... (Or fill in the blank)" I even heard a group of Mom's at an allergy board say their kids could never be donors because their children had peanut allergies. (Ummm does sound as ridiculous to you as it does to me?) But it isn't their fault. They haven't been educated. No one talks about this. So how would they know that you could donate if you have had cancer (as long as you are cancer free for over 5 years and it wasn't a melanoma)? The people who are recovering your organs or tissue will be able to determine if you are a candidate for donation. So just tell your family.You know Aiden got his liver when he was only 8 months old. But he got a second gift two days later, a cadaveric vein. Someone donated his or her tissue and Aiden is alive because of that vein. He had an 8-hour surgery to fix a clotted vein to his liver, and things were touch and go. They decided to use a donated vein in replace of his own; my son is alive from that tiny gift. Yes, I know in my inaugural blog I sound kind of angry. But it isn't anger that I am really feeling. I feel an overwhelming feeling of sadness for my dear friends who have lost a child waiting. Can you believe I have lost count to how many angels have flown to Heaven since I began this journey with Aiden only 4 ½ years ago? I never knew that at 30 years old I would know anyone who lost a child, none the less know so many I couldn't count. Please please, today… NOT tomorrow… TELL someone that you love, " Hey you know, I want to be an organ and tissue donor when I die." The tough talk is over and maybe one day after you have lived a wonderful and full life you can be a hero and an angel to someone who needs you so desperately.
(no subject)
Lisa here...Blogging…Wow I feel so cool. Did you know that 17 people die every DAY just waiting for organs? When I read that I have to stop and imagine. Do I even have 17 friends that I could imagine dying in a day? And then 17 more in the next... and again by the end of the week loose 119 friends and family. It isn't like these children (and adults) who die waiting for organs DON'T have modern medicine on their sides. It isn't like there isn't something out there to save their lives… instead medicine HAS advanced, it figured out how to take organs from one person and save another! The doctors DID their part. They figured out how to save dying babies, how to give life to little girls like Haley, to give others chances to graduate high school, and to become parent's of their own. So what are we waiting on?? Why are they still dying?? Ohhh yeah that is because people don't CHOOSE to help. We aren't talking traveling to the edge of Africa for some miracle drug…we are talking about organ donation. It seems crazy to me… that in a country where we will take such pride in protecting children, giving an education, futures and hope to children, we also just let them die in hospitals. The hope for the future is organ donation for these kids, yet it is a "touchy topic" and no one wants to talk about the fact we will all die one day. So, let's just ignore it. When Aiden was born with Biliary Atresia and then shortly after they said he needed a liver transplant, I figured... "Then go get him one." I had a big awakening when they said there was a massive shortage and people died everyday not getting what they needed. Huh? I had NO clue that this was happening in hospitals all over our country. Why hasn't the public been notified? OK folks read this and say it out loud: Just signing your driver's license means NOTHING. You HAVE to tell your next of kin. They make that choice. Why didn't they tell me that when I signed my driver's license? It seems so simple. I talk to a lot of people who think, "I can't donate my organs. I had cancer... (Or fill in the blank)" I even heard a group of Mom's at an allergy board say their kids could never be donors because their children had peanut allergies. (Ummm does sound as ridiculous to you as it does to me?) But it isn't their fault. They haven't been educated. No one talks about this. So how would they know that you could donate if you have had cancer (as long as you are cancer free for over 5 years and it wasn't a melanoma)? The people who are recovering your organs or tissue will be able to determine if you are a candidate for donation. So just tell your family. You know Aiden got his liver when he was only 8 months old. But he got a second gift two days later, a cadaveric vein. Someone donated his or her tissue and Aiden is alive because of that vein. He had an 8-hour surgery to fix a clotted vein to his liver, and things were touch and go. They decided to use a donated vein in replace of his own; my son is alive from that tiny gift. Yes, I know in my inaugural blog I sound kind of angry. But it isn't anger that I am really feeling. I feel an overwhelming feeling of sadness for my dear friends who have lost a child waiting. Can you believe I have lost count to how many angels have flown to Heaven since I began this journey with Aiden only 4 ½ years ago? I never knew that at 30 years old I would know anyone who lost a child, none the less know so many I couldn't count. Please please, today… NOT tomorrow… TELL someone that you love, " Hey you know, I want to be an organ and tissue donor when I die." The tough talk is over and maybe one day after you have lived a wonderful and full life you can be a hero and an angel to someone who needs you so desperately.
**************************************
AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Fundraising Opportunities
The fundraising opportunities page has been updated to include ways in which you can help. Check it out!
http://www.thehaleyvincentfoundation.com/FundraisingOps.htm
http://www.thehaleyvincentfoundation.com/FundraisingOps.htm
Saturday, February 17, 2007
First Official blog from Haley's mom
Hello everyone, and welcome to our blogging experiment.
If you follow our CB sites, you may have read that we are beginning a blog here on the Foundation website.
Although our posts will continue to have the same personal component you are used to, we are going to try and be "topical" and relevant as well.
There is so much writing talent out there, we will occasionally be inviting "guest bloggers" to weigh in on a topic hat may be special to them.
We will be blogging each Monday (or before) for the week. Our first topic, is organ donation. Something, both Lisa and I know something about.
On October 1, 2005. my sweet, beautiful, talented, little girl became a statistic. One of the 118 people who died that day waiting for an organ transplant.
How it hurts me to think of her that way. As a number on a list. And yet that is what her life, and her death hinged on.
Beause of the way her disease presented, because of the way her smart little body compensated, because of the unusual presence of a second illness, Haley didn't fit onto the list the way she was supposed to, with the sickest going to the top. She was penalized for being unusual. A penalty that cost her her life.
And I hate the system. Make no mistake. I find nothing "fair" about the way organs are shared in this country. BUT, and this is a big one......IF everyone was an organ donor, the list, the system wouldn't even matter.
We, the people, have the power to fix this.
There WAS a treatment available to save our daughter...how sad that there just wasn't a liver.
This tragedy replays itself every single day as mothers and fathers lose their children, children lose parents, spouses lose each other. We have it in our power to fix this.
And, it isn't just solid organ transplants, but tissue and, of course bone marrow. These things literally save lives.
Find your bone marrow registry...if you don't know where to go...start with the red cross.
Sign your organ donation card, and TELL everyone you want to be a donor.
The life you could save is important, it is a treasure to someone.
Other Foundation News:
Check out the new song on this site :
"A Voice Above the Crowd"
written by Steven Wagner
music by Dan Robinson
Vocals Kim Miller
This song was written for Haley weeks after she died, it captures her life and her spirit beautifully.
It, along with the other songs will be available on CD soon. I really mean it!! We are so close to having it finished!!
If you want your child to be on our upcoming prayer request page, please email me with first name and a link. We want to focus on kids in all phases of their journeys.
We are putting together a "Garage sale Committee". To be involved, email me. The sale will be late April, date to be announced.
Thanks to Bonnie for making this blog possible.
Thanks to all of you for coming by,
Cheryl
My Angel Haley
If you follow our CB sites, you may have read that we are beginning a blog here on the Foundation website.
Although our posts will continue to have the same personal component you are used to, we are going to try and be "topical" and relevant as well.
There is so much writing talent out there, we will occasionally be inviting "guest bloggers" to weigh in on a topic hat may be special to them.
We will be blogging each Monday (or before) for the week. Our first topic, is organ donation. Something, both Lisa and I know something about.
On October 1, 2005. my sweet, beautiful, talented, little girl became a statistic. One of the 118 people who died that day waiting for an organ transplant.
How it hurts me to think of her that way. As a number on a list. And yet that is what her life, and her death hinged on.
Beause of the way her disease presented, because of the way her smart little body compensated, because of the unusual presence of a second illness, Haley didn't fit onto the list the way she was supposed to, with the sickest going to the top. She was penalized for being unusual. A penalty that cost her her life.
And I hate the system. Make no mistake. I find nothing "fair" about the way organs are shared in this country. BUT, and this is a big one......IF everyone was an organ donor, the list, the system wouldn't even matter.
We, the people, have the power to fix this.
There WAS a treatment available to save our daughter...how sad that there just wasn't a liver.
This tragedy replays itself every single day as mothers and fathers lose their children, children lose parents, spouses lose each other. We have it in our power to fix this.
And, it isn't just solid organ transplants, but tissue and, of course bone marrow. These things literally save lives.
Find your bone marrow registry...if you don't know where to go...start with the red cross.
Sign your organ donation card, and TELL everyone you want to be a donor.
The life you could save is important, it is a treasure to someone.
Other Foundation News:
Check out the new song on this site :
"A Voice Above the Crowd"
written by Steven Wagner
music by Dan Robinson
Vocals Kim Miller
This song was written for Haley weeks after she died, it captures her life and her spirit beautifully.
It, along with the other songs will be available on CD soon. I really mean it!! We are so close to having it finished!!
If you want your child to be on our upcoming prayer request page, please email me with first name and a link. We want to focus on kids in all phases of their journeys.
We are putting together a "Garage sale Committee". To be involved, email me. The sale will be late April, date to be announced.
Thanks to Bonnie for making this blog possible.
Thanks to all of you for coming by,
Cheryl
My Angel Haley
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Foundation Meeting - February 10, 2007 at 12 pm
There will be a meeting of the foundation at Bruce & Cheryl's house on Saturday, February 10th at 12 pm. Anyone interested in helping with the foundation should attend. Lunch will be provided as well as a play area for the children. For directions, please contact Cheryl.
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