A Celebration of Life

[DonnaBoll]

Good morning or afternoon!

I've mentioned in some other posts that almost 19 years ago I had a liver transplant. I have done well and feel these 19 years added to my life are such a gift. Shortly after I retired from nursing I began volunteering my time at MidAmerica Transplant. This is a local (St. Louis,MO) organization that actually procures organs and performs the transplants in their state of the art facility here.

Over the course of time, I've become good friends with many who work there including their CEO, Kevin Lee. Tonight they hold their annual Donate LIfe Trivia Night . I look forward to it every year. Hundreds of people who have been affected by organ donation either as a donor famly, recipient, or family member who was. It is quite the emotional night for me even after 19 years. They, of course, recognize all the recipients having them stand up. We have a table of 8 of us. All of these wonderful people who are attending with me this evening have been with me thru it all... good and bad over the last years before and after my transplant. I just wanted to share with you all that even if the PBC progresses, in my case after 20+ years, there is still a life to be lived. Tonight I celebrate my life of 19 extra years. donatelife.net

[Rockie]

Fantastic DonnaBoll. Wish you many more healthy years with the liver

[Wocket]

what a fantastic gift for you.

[mongo2020]

Congratulations DonnaBoll!

And thank you for all you do here!

[Ancolie]

Hope you get as many more. Life is so wonderful. Congratulation Donna and thankyou for being there !

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Ancolie]

thank you!! life is good!

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Ancolie]

I hope I can make a difference in some lives with my being a part of this group. Life is good!

[LindaVillanova]

Amazing Donna! Congrats to you!

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to LindaVillanova]

I have been given a wonderful gift from a total stranger. Thank you!

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to LindaVillanova]

19 extra years is nothing short of amazing... I am blessed!

[lovesoccer]

What a wonderful post. Wishing you many more years!

[LeanCat]

How wonderful! Congratulations Donna and thank you for all that you do here, it’s greatly appreciated. 💕

[Gaspereaux]

You are an amazing woman, Donna! I hope our paths cross sometime….

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Gaspereaux]

That would be wonderful!

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Gaspereaux]

where did you say you live?

[Gaspereaux]

I live in a small fishing village on the northeaster coast of New Brunswick Canada. But my hubby is from Northern Ireland so we do tend to make some tracks! Am I right in assuming you are in the mid=western US? I dont even know why i think that!

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Gaspereaux]

You are absolutely right! I am right in the middle of the US. I live about 50 miles west of St. Louis, MO. I will be going to Edinburgh from April 5-13 for The International PBC Summit.