Why DonateLife

Miami, FL - Mile 0 - Mar 8_th, 2016

Growing up, I was always a bit of a daddy's girl. My father taught me how to be independent and strong and do things for myself without needing anyone's help. It's something I learned from many people in my family actually, my grandfather was also very much like that and so was my mom.

When I was in 8th grade, my father fell ill and ended up in the hospital for days on end. At the time, no one knew what exactly was wrong with him. The doctors pretty much came up with every diagnosis they could think of from cancer to AIDS and while my mother went crazy trying to be the caring and supportive wife and had to wear the supermom cape, my brother and I were pulled around. I remember staying with my grandparents and also with my cousins. I remember worrying all the time and wondering what was wrong with my dad. I remember faking being sick so I could stay home with my grandparents because I couldn't concentrate on school, nor did I really want to.

Finally, one day, my dad went to the University of Miami (go Canes!). The fellows there (they're like doctors only studying more of a specialty) told him immediately what was wrong.

Hepatitis C which had caused liver cirrhosis, a liver transplant was needed as soon as possible or he would die within 2 years.

He was placed on the list and it would be almost 2 years until we got the phone call that changed our lives. My dad received his transplant in November of 2000. This year will make 16 years and my dad is as strong as ever. The transplant caused him to have diabetes and he got cancer (and beat it TWICE) afterwards due to other reasons but he is still here and if it weren't for the man that decided to save someone else and donate his organs upon his death, then my dad would've been gone as well.

Why am I telling you all of this, you may wonder.

After much discussion with the hubs, Donnie and I have decided to hike the AT in 2017 to raise awareness for Organ and Tissue Transplant and I am so excited that HikeFor is adding my organization to facilitate the process.

Wish me luck!