Mark Dudenhefer
Stafford

Published: April 11, 2008

April is Organ Donor Month. It is a time when my family reflects on a tragic event in our lives.

My daughter Emily was tragically killed in a traffic accident in January 2004. It is the single hardest and life-altering event in my life. On that sad day my wife, Kay, and I returned home from the hospital to a house full of grieving friends. We were in no condition to make any decisions or even lift our heads to greet Emily’s classroom friends.

Our phone rang continuously through the morning with a close friend taking messages. Not until we received a call from the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium did we actually take a call. They were calling to ask our permission to use Emily’s organs for transplant. Emily had checked the box on her driver’s license authorizing this to happen.

Kay and I retreated to our study away from all visitors to reflect on Emily’s request that her death not be in vain. We had not come to a realization that she was no longer with us and now we were faced with deciding to give part of her away. As we agonized over this request we kept coming back to the fact that this was her request. Who were we to challenge that dying wish?

We gave our permission and it is a decision that we are so thankful we made. Over the following months we received many warm and consoling letters from the Consortium. They seemed to have a window into our souls and knew exactly what to say and when to say it. We later were informed that Emily’s gift helped save or improve the lives of people in 14 states and 4 foreign counties. A part of Emily lives on because of her simple act of kindness.
We never know when we will leave this earth, but we can reach out from the grave and help others. Please take the time to check the block on your driver’s license or register on the internet to become an organ donor.