April Is National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month. I'm a volunteer with Tennessee
Donor Services and am acutely aware of the need for organ donation
education. I help educate high school students who are at the age of
their first driver's license. I feel that sharing accurate information about organ donation is the only way to save some of the lives of those waiting for an organ. There are far too many people that die waiting for an organ transplant.

My youngest daughter Justine died in March eleven years ago. She had
severe head trauma. While waiting at the hospital, we were able to talk about organ donation for a couple of days before making the final decision. I had signed my driver's license stating my wishes to be an
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organ donor many years before Justine's accident.

Justine donated both her kidneys, her heart and her liver. What an awesome feeling it is to know that there are four people alive today because of my Justy. My family and I have been fortunate to meet two of her organ
recipients. What wonderful people. They have now become part of my extended family.

When you're sitting at the hospital, fearing for your child's life, it is
not the time to start thinking about donation. When you're talking
about life things with your family in your most comfortable setting is
the time to discuss this topic. Whatever you decide, please make your
family aware of your decision, so that they are clear about what you
want if the need ever arises.

The best way to document your decision is when you go to the driver's license office to apply for or renew your license. When you check
"yes" you'll get a heart in the top right-hand corner of your photo.
You can also document your decision by going online to www.tndonorregistry.org and filling out the simple form. Telling your
family what you want is so easy now. Check it out.

Please contact Tennessee Donor Services at 423-756-5736 or Dawn
Benjamin at dbenjamin@dcids.org for further information.

Sincerely,

Michele Rose
Donor Mom of Justine Avendt
Jasper, TN