Heroes
Organ donation is one of the greatest gifts we can give others. It’s a recognition of our shared humanity, and a selfless acknowledgment that after we’re gone, we can still give back to our fellow men and women.
As an elected official, I meet with countless people. Sometimes, those meetings can be incredibly humbling, which was the case this week when I met with the families of organ donors and recipients, along with the chair of the Governor’s Organ Donation Advisory Committee.
The stories I heard were indescribably touching, both from the families who had lost someone and those who’d received a life-saving organ. It was extremely emotional to hear how the loss of a loved one had been transformed into this incredible gift to another. One family member explained to me how the donation of their loved one’s organs touched the lives of more than 100 other people.
I was amazed at the courage it took to come to the Capitol for this group. They were not here seeking recognition. Instead, they were here to support organ donation in Missouri, and to find ways to spread the word of how beneficial it can be to others. This same week, I had the opportunity to present my legislation, Senate Bill 738, which would eliminate the sunset on the organ donor tax checkoff box on the Missouri tax form, set to expire this year. Through this tax checkoff box you can donate a portion or all of your tax refund to the Organ Donation Advisory Committee.
I’m hopeful my colleagues see the importance of this program, and were as touched as I was to learn about the ways donation can affect so many lives. I strongly urge everyone to consider becoming an organ donor. The window for donation can sometimes be narrow. Along with marking the box, let your family know of your intentions to be a donor. You can touch the lives of countless people through this noble act.
In closing, I would like to say that I have had the opportunity to meet many people in my career that I would consider distinguished or even some I consider heroes. But the donors that I met and the heart felt stories they shared will always have an impact on my life. So Godspeed to the donors and recipients for changing someone’s life.
Visitors this week include: Robert Kenemer, Tim DeClue, Debbi McGinnis, Melinda Robertson, Chris Stewart, Scott Crouch, San & Deb Simaitis, Gaila Beach, Darrin Griffin, Calab Alexander, and Caleb Jones, Dr. Joanna Anderson, Randy Eaton, Nick LaStrada, Judy Parkhurst, Ron Wineinger, Mary Shawley, Tammy Walker, Jenesis May, Marilyn & Lindal Grechus, Tyler Hudson, Ike Skelton, Karen Nixon, Chris Dohogne, St. Clair, Dallas, Laclede, Benton, Cedar County Farm Bureau Youth Leadership groups, Laura, Kasey, & Allison Bouslaugh, Shae & Angie Smith.