Take A Breath: Transplant Journey

Now feel the oxygen coming in and out of your lungs. It's simple, easy, something you do every day without even thinking about it. But what if one day you woke up and couldn't? Walking to your car felt like running a mile? What if your entire life depended on the decision of a stranger...choosing to be or not to be an organ donor? In this true story, Dr. Karen A. Kelly M.D. shares her husband's journey through a life-saving lung transplant. Learning about his courageous battle can help any patient or caregiver understand the extensive responsibilities required for a successful organ transplant. As a pediatrician, Dr. Kelly found herself in a different role as caretaker not as provider. Her experience highlights the vital importance of taking care of oneself in order to adequately care for a sick loved one. She also stresses the importance of stopping: to rest, to take a deep breath, to laugh, and to rejuvenate. The Kelly's story sheds light on the shocking realization that 120,000 people in the U. S. right now are waiting for an organ transplant and that twenty of those people will die every day waiting on the "list" for a stranger to decide to be a hero.