A Gift of Hope

A short time before the tragic accident which took the lives of sixteen members and associates of the Humboldt Broncos Hockey Team, one of the players who had signed an organ donor card, Logan Boulet, gave the gift of life to six recipients.  His caring act has spiked many others to sign a donor cards making possible the gift of hope for the many thousands of Canadians waiting for an organ transplant.

When I was a Hospital Chaplain at the Foothills Hospital, I was attached to the HOPE (Human Organ Procurement and Exchange) program.  I still remember working closely with the HOPE Nurse as we met with families to invite them to consider organ donation of their loved one being kept alive on a ventilator as a result of a deadly accident.  Overwhelmed by grief, families so many times gave permission for organ retrieval knowing that the gift of organs would bring new life to so many others.   They recognized that their loved one, in spite of their pain, would continue to live on because of their generous decision.

At another time, I was the Chaplain at the dialysis treatment centre at the old Colonel Belcher Hospital.  Twice each week, I would visit dialysis patients who came three times each week to have their blood cleansed because of kidney failure.  They all lived in hope that they would receive a new kidney but the wait was often long and discouraging.  Sometimes after years of waiting, patients would just give up and stop coming for their dialysis treatment and within a short time, death would win out.

Why should I share the story of organ donation?  I still remember a close friend who was one of the first in Alberta to receive a new heart.  I remember other patients who received a kidney, or lungs, revitalized eyes, bones and burn victims a skin transplant.  Although there are some restrictions as a result of age and illness, the fact is that Christians who believe in healing and new life should all seriously consider signing a donor card.  Logan Boulet did giving new life to many who waited and hoped.   The healing power of our Blessed Lord is realized through the organ donor program in Alberta and throughout Canada.  Because of our commitment to Jesus, we can give the gift of healing and new life.

Gordon