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Transplant your support
Snow, wind, slippery roads. November is a giver. And speaking of “givers”, I had the pleasure of speaking with two people, last week. Lauralee and Beth hope we’ll be givers to a cause which is near and dear to their liver and pancreas. Lauralee and Beth invited me to meet with them at the local Tim Horton’s. Over “steeped tea, one milk” Lauralee and Beth told me about their lives as transplant recipients. Any health related issues I have, or have had, pale in comparison to the plight of a person who is living with an organ transplant or the life of a person waiting for a transplant. I expected to meet with frail, sickly people but there they were! Sitting in a crowded, steamy coffee shop, chatting with everyone who walked by the booth they were sitting in and wear smiles for miles.
Lauralee Courtney Cowan is a two time liver transplant recipient. Yup, two livers. She lives and works in The County and by the number of people who stopped by that booth to say “hello” to her, I’d say she has a great big heart for all people and things County. Beth Law is a pancreas transplant recipient. And honestly, I had no idea about pancreas transplants. These two women highlighted their profound gratitude for the “gift of life” they received and spoke emotionally of the process which saved their lives. They got a second chance which allowed them to be with their family and to be advocates/cheerleaders for organ donations and recovery support and transplant research. Both women experienced life limiting situations and survived transplant surgery with a new focus on the physical and emotional journey which life threw their way.
Let me back up a wee bit and say, neither of these women are looking for a handout, our sympathy or any kind fanfare. Lauralee agreed to meet me (Beth was a bonus interviewee) to speak about a new support group for Quinte region transplant survivors and their families. If you have ever had to travel for health care, any kind of medical procedure, follow-up appointments or continuing treatments you know how challenging it can be to get “your health show on the road”. In the case of transplant surgery and follow-up care for people in our region, it’s not as simple as jumping in a car and heading into the local hospital or your local health care professional. Transplant patients are in precarious health and need their specialists. Their lives are put on hold while they await a viable organ donation. They have been through the wringer, so to speak, both before the procedure and after. Many transplant recipients are unable to work and health support benefits are slow to payout and, often, not adequate. The cost of putting your day-to-day events on hold affects every of aspect of your life. There is, for many people, the worry over lost wages, the travel expenses (gasoline, hotels, meals, sometimes finding a driver in some cases) and for many, securing childcare. The emotional turmoil, the physical pain and the mental exhaustion don’t contribute to a successful recovery. Adapting to life after surgery can also be overwhelming. You and I know, sometimes it’s a very good thing to be able to relax and speak with someone about “what’s up”. Support is why Lauralee and Beth met with me. They, and many others like them, need support.
Lauralee, Beth and Mark Londry (I didn’t meet Mark) are creating something tangible, to help transplant survivors, and their families, have a space and a forum for support in the time of their greatest need. They want to offer a place where transplant patients can speak freely about their concerns and receive the emotional, empathetic and sometimes, monetary, support they need. This small but fiercely supportive group is currently awaiting the CRA number which will allow them to provide tax receipts to donors. BUT the need doesn’t wait for the numbers.
If you can offer assistance, right now, to Quinte Ontario Transplant Support Group— gas cards, grocery cards or monetary donations, please get in touch with this amazing resource at qotsg@gmail.com or by calling 613.243.4117. You know you wanna!!
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