Sainthood, Journalism, Kidneys and Livers

I know I said I wasn’t going to update my blog but I’ve been extremely busy writing about some amazing people, hearing some amazing stories and continuously being in awe of cancer fighters, organ donors and their supporters. 

I had the opportunity to interview an inspiring woman who donated her kidney to a complete stranger. The donation occurred on the date of my mother’s birthday (who also happens to be on the liver transplant list). When I hung up with her, I sat down to write the story and just fought back tears. She was just so enlightening, and I couldn’t help but think of my mom. It was nice to speak with someone who had gone through the organ donation process and was so candid and excited to speak about it. I waited until the end of the interview to let her know what really sparked my interest in her story (my mom’s situation). 

When it was clear that I was too emotional to write anything worth reading, I stopped and opened up my email. I wrote to my mom about my interview, and just how ironic it was. It almost felt like I was meant to write that story. I believe everything happens for a reason. 

It was only a few short years ago that I felt that organ donation was just weird. I didn’t have a good reason for it, but I felt it was odd that someone else would have a part of me living in them long after I had ceased. And hell if I ever gave up an organ while I was alive.  It took my mom’s situation to change my mind about it. Donating an organ, whether you’re alive or dead, is the most you could ever give someone – their life. I feel that it automatically makes you a saint. This woman I interviewed was such a testimony to the value of human life. 

If she would let me, I would donate part of my liver to my mom in a heartbeat (the liver regenerates itself). My mom refuses to allow any of her daughters to undergo that surgery, so she will most likely receive one from a deceased person.

Today, after turning in the article (Yay! Big stressful cover story is done!), I came home to see Kathi Goertzen, an anchor on our local news, reveal what a brain tumor has done to her face. She has lost the function of the entire right side of her face, rendering her appearance abnormal. They kept talking about how much she has battled cancer, and how she was undergoing her sixth surgery to try to remove the tumor. I can only imagine how taxing that is not only on the body, but also on the mind. To see her giving it her all, and being so honest about her story, gives me hope for my mom. They are both strong women battling forces out of their control. It’s not always done with a smile. But it’s done with a purpose. 

As hard as it is to write some of these stories, I know that by telling them, somebody somewhere will say just like I did, “Wow. I wonder what I can do?” or ”Wow. I can relate. “

That is precisely the reason I love journalism and writing about other people. Journalism is the lifeline to humanity. You tell stories about lives that may seem ordinary to some, but make a world of impact to others. Everyone has a story. And I love giving people the opportunity to tell it.