Best quote ever, in my opinion, regarding organ donation was from someone who posted it online and it said: "By accepting my (kidney) organ donation you are giving a gift to ME. You are helping me become the person I want to be. I want to be an extraordinary person. I want to live an extraordinary life. It occurs to me that living an extraordinary life is less and less likely to be the result of personal accomplishments and more likely to come from helping others. Fearlessly. You’ve given that opportunity to me. Thank you."

In 2008, I had the opportunity to donate life to a stranger, by donating my kidney. In that single event, I was able to save not only a stranger's life, but at the same time, save my children's father's life, as he was suffering severe kidney failure. I did plenty of online research that year, prior to donation and learned about paired donation via Alliance for Paired Donation. I was able to participate in what came to be known as a "kidney swap." I was met with much skepticism from my family members and people who worried about the fact that I had young children to care for. However, I knew instinctively, that this was something I had to do, not only to save a life, but to honor my mother's memory, who had lost her battle with cancer. I felt helpless then, but this time, I had the power to make a difference. And so I did.

From that moment on, I made it my mission to spread awareness on how easy it is to save a life. Whether it is through organ donation, blood donation or bone marrow transplants, it is all about educating people and making them aware, that they too, can "save a life" and still be healthy. I believe that we are put on this Earth to make a difference in people's lives and make it better anyway we can. Not everyone can or is willing to donate an organ, but if I can educate just one person and show them how easy it can be to donate life, then, I have made a difference, and to me that's what it's all about! I have posted a few links and videos, so that you can read and learn more on how you too, have the power to save a life! Be the Match!

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