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The tendon in my knee isn’t mine. I don’t know whose it is or what life the person who gave it to me lived. But it’s why I am able to walk, hike, travel, do yoga, and workout.
I dislocated my kneecap about a year ago while I was working out, and let me tell you, it wasn’t a good experience. Let’s just say I fell on the ground screaming and my mom almost had a heart attack. I broke the kneecap, got a bone bruise, tore a tendon, and had cartilage and bone stuck under my kneecap. So, I had to get two surgeries. The doctor said the best thing to do would be to use a donor tendon that was stronger than my original tendon, so that it would not dislocate anymore. (Both of my kneecaps have dislocated multiple times.) So I agreed, got the surgeries, recovered, and went on with my life. I didn’t truly think about the significance of the tendon in my knee until recently when I began working with my youth council on a project advocating for increased awareness about organ and tissue donation.
I had the realization that without that tendon, I would not be able to do all the things I love to do without fear. I would always be afraid I was going to have issues with my knee, and that would limit the things I do. I’m someone who likes to move and try new things all the time, so this would have been a big deal for me. The only reason I am able to continue doing all the things my knees allow me to do is that somebody signed up to be an organ and tissue donor.
Whoever that person was, I am so grateful to them for making the choice that allows me to continue with my life in a way that I want. After I thought about the enormous gift I had been given, I decided that I had to pay it forward. I went to https://www.yesidaho.org/ and signed up to donate. If you don’t live in Idaho, you can search for your state website or national website. After I’m gone, why wouldn’t I want to give the gift of life to someone else?
I encourage you to do the same, if you haven’t already, especially if you’re a teenager. One organ donor can save eight lives, and twenty people on the organ waiting list die everyday waiting for a transplant. Most adults in the US (95%) support organ donation, but only about 54% are actually signed up as donors. And teens are able to donate to young children, unlike many adults. Here’s a resource to find more information: https://organdonor.gov.
So don’t wait! Sign up to donate now. You could save so many lives and make so many better.