The road of life can be long. But not for everyone. Nor for a young member of my family.
Caracas-born Pierre Paul Pacannins B. died on September 29th at Children's Hospital in Boston. In his twelve and a half years, he fought the Great Battle. Over and over again. Enduring eleven heart surgeries from the age of seven months, Pierre displayed more bravery than do most adults in their lifetime. His resilience, I'm sure, came from the love and support from his family. They did everything possible to find him the best tools to help him along the way. Contributing, too, were the many friends he made in and out of school.
So wanting to keep his oar in the Sea of Life, Pierre followed doctor's orders to a ' T '. Measuring daily output? No problem. Eliminating salt? Fine. Restoring it in minute quantities? That, too. The only complaint his grandmother Anita Chapellín de Benedetti ever heard from him was while the family waited for a new heart.
Inspired by hope, Pierre drew a picture. In it, he compared his wished-for new heart with the old one. "Not worth a damn," he said, referring to the latter. His grandmother sanitized the comment.
Time was running short. The Sword of Damocles hung over the transplant list. When a heart finally became available, Pierre was one of two candidates. But in the end, the other boy - an American - received the much needed organ, instead.
Pierre died waiting. God won.
Heart transplants are complex surgeries. Including rejection issues, they can be problematic in adults. Multiply those risks in younger patients for an idea of the courage they and their families face. More so in a world where organs are so scarce.
It doesn't need to be this way. Organ and tissue donation, as well as their administrative programs, need improvement. The world over. But change has to start from the bottom up. That means you are the key agent. You can help.
Begin by informing yourself on transplants. Check out some myths or statistics surrounding organ and tissue donation.
Find out what registration procedures are available in your area. You might google how to be an organ donor in your region. Or, call your ministry or department of health to find out about guidelines.
Next, talk about the subject with your family members and community groups. If more people start discussing this unaccustomed subject, more humanitarian gestures will follow. And medical science will benefit, while offering those in need a second chance.
Think it won't matter? Mouse over some grateful recipients to get an idea of the good you can do. Inspired? Now walk the thought. Follow through. Register.
Here's how I did it in my region — Ontario, Canada.
Knowing that every 3 days, one inhabitant from my province dies waiting for an organ transplant, I thought I'd improve the odds. I signed a Gift of Life donor card. This form is a longer version of the one that accompanies a new or renewed driver's licence.
I checked the box indicating my consent to donate any needed organs or tissue. Because even if one of my organs isn't "worth a damn," surely there must be a cornea, maybe a piece of liver that'll help someone in need. They sure won't do me any good, where I'm going. Eventually.
Signing the card with a friend who witnessed, I tucked it in my wallet with my driver's licence. I also sent the tear-off duplicate to my sister.
But then I wondered, what if I don't have the card on me as I lay unconscious, approaching the end of my life, say, as a result of an accident?
I found a better way. I registered directly with my ministry of health. If you are over 16 years old and a resident of Ontario, here's how you can, too.
Click on the registration form. Complete it. Print it. Sign it. And know that your consent as an organ donor is voluntary, that it may be changed or withdrawn at any time.
You're almost there. Now email your next of kin to inform that person of your decision, and to ask if he or she would also sign, as required, the form you will send by mail.
My sister signed and mailed the form to the Ministry of Health in the pre-addressed, stamped envelope I provided. She's good that way. And she knows I'm willing to return the favour.
A few weeks later, I heard from the Ministry of Health. They informed me that they had assigned to my health records the word "Donor" and a code that reflected my choices. The plan worked! They also sent me stickers to apply to my old health card. If I had a newer card - one with a snazzy photo, I would have received a reissue, instead.
I felt better already. I had built a bridge for the one waiting on the brink of the other side. You can, too.
If you live outside Ontario, I challenge you to find out what you have to do in your area to register as an organ donor. And I challenge you some more to take the next step. To register. To walk the talk.
Hundreds whose lives dangle by the thinnest thread depend on your actions. They will thank you. As will medical science.
And Pierre.
