The Community News Your Health March 26, 2010 3C

LIFE AND DEATH DECISIONS ◗ Registering as an organ donor can

bring new life to others
By Dominic Genetti
The Community News

Marcia Walters is attempting to spread awareness.

But this isn’t about the environment or a disease.
Walters is trying to spread awareness about organ
donation.
“If more people would be on the registries, it would
really help,” she said.
Walters, like so many other patients, is waiting for an
organ transplant.
A new set of lungs will cure her of the failing pair she
has that are currently diseased by pulmonary fibrosis trig-
gered by scleroderma, an autoimmune disease.
The pulmonary fibrosis has left her lungs scarred.
“I have about half capacity of my lungs,” Walters said.
“They’re bad and they’re getting worse.”
But that’s not stopping the Stuard Elementary School nurse
from spreading the word about organ donation. She’s planning to
pass out flyers and register at donatelifetexas.org to make the local
community aware of organ donation options.
While some believe signing the back of a driver’s license secures
organ donation in someone’s unexpected death, Laura Frnka, spokesper-
son for LifeGift Organ Donation Center in Houston, said that only shows
a person’s intent.
Family members still have the final say if a person’s license is signed.
“But signing the registry is your consent,” Frnka said. “It’s a legally bind-
ing document meaning that in the event of your death, your decisions will be
fulfilled no matter what your family says.”
More than 1,800 people are waiting for lung transplants, 15,910 are waiting
for liver transplants and 84,093 are waiting for kidney transplants.
Bruce and Jenny Casburn of Aledo have seen the benefits of organ dona-
tion.
Five years ago this month their son Lucas was killed in a car accident. After
discovering he was brain dead, the Casburns took the time to think about
donating Lucas’ organs.
“Obviously our son was gone, so there was no reason not to do it,” Bruce
Casburn said.
With their faith strong, the Casburns authorized doctors to harvest the
organs of their 21-year-old son. Within 24 hours Lucas’ heart and kidneys
found patients in desperate need.
“In releasing (Lucas’ organs) to them, we received a blessing,” Jenny
Casburn said. “It’s a comfort for us.”
In the meantime, Walters is waiting to hear if she’s found a
donor.
She’s second on the donor list in her blood type for a new pair
of lungs, but until that call comes through she’s taking life one day
at a time.
“Every day’s a gift,” Walters said. “That’s my new motto.”
And for those still on the fence about organ donation or just
unsure about it all, Jenny Casburn gives advice.
“Think ahead,” she said. “How can you benefit somebody
else?”