BARB JOHNS, a member of the Monticello Rotary Club, shared about her experiences involving her son as an organ donor. 
Barb’s son Chad was 40 years old when he died in a motorcycle accident in 2012. His injury was to his head, which meant that his organs could be used. Only 2% of people die of head trauma, allowing the possibility of organ donation. The family agreed to have this done and his corneas, kidneys, liver and pancreas were all given to transplant recipients. The Indiana Organ Procurement Organization (IOPO) helped in the process after Chad was declared brain dead. The time frame for successful transplant operations is quite limited so multiple recipients were sent to hospitals to prepare for their surgeries before his procedure began. BARB knows about the progress of some of the recipients, thanks to IOPO. One patient was cured of his diabetes and another was able to go off of kidney dialysis treatments after a number of years. Courtney Tillotta is a social worker with Indiana Donor Network, the new name for IOPO, and she works to help donor families after the donation has occurred. There is a thirteen month bereavement program for the families that helps them deal with their grief. In addition to organ donation, it is possible to be a tissue donor at almost any age. To be sure that your wishes in this regard are carried out, the best thing to do is to talk openly with your family members who will be the ones making the decisions. Thanks to all those who already have identified themselves as organ donors.
VISITING ROTARIANS:
BERNIE GRASER from Monticello Rotary Club.
GUESTS:
Sean Branham, guest of GAIL BRICKLER.