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Organ recipient, donor raise flag

2 min read
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Southwest Regional Medical Center, in collaboration with (CORE) Center for Organ Recovery and Education, recently raised The Donate Life flag in support of the Flags Across America initiative.

The ceremony symbolizes the need to educate Americans about donation and the need for more designated donors.

This year’s honorees were Danielle Komacko and her mother, Debi Chulick, both of Clarksville.

Komacko received a kidney from her mother in September of 2002 after being diagnosed with end stage renal failure. At the time of surgery, Komacko was receiving dialysis three days a week.

After much testing and waiting, it was determined that her mom was a match and able to donate one of her healthy kidneys to her daughter.

“The minute I knew I was a match I did not hesitate at all. I was ready to go,” shared Chulick. “I didn’t care how they got it out of me, laparoscopic, traditional surgery or with a can-opener; all I cared about was that I could save my daughter’s life.”

Since the transplant, both have been doing very well. They must have regular blood work, but otherwise they are living normal lives.

“Without my mom being a living donor, I may not be where I am today,” expressed Komacko. “The gift of life is priceless! I feel very blessed and I am very thankful for the gift I received from my mom. She is my hero.”

Nationally, over 113,000 people are awaiting an organ transplant; with approximately 18 to 20 dying each day.

The first step is to sign up to be a donor designated by saying yes to donation on your driver’s license. With your support we can challenge this great need one donor at a time.

There is no age limit to be an organ donor and each potential donor is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Very few illnesses prevent someone from being a donor. Though someone may not be able to donate blood, it does not always prevent the individual from donating organs and tissue.

To learn more about organ donation visit www.core.org.

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