Organ donation 5k run promotes awareness
People came from all across Cache Valley to participate in Logan’s Second Chance 5K Run on Saturday. The race was established to educate people about organ donation.
Mandee Geary, from Smithfield, is just one of the many participants who have benefited from organ donation. Geary, 22, received a heart transplant at the age of 18.
Geary, however, said she was one of the lucky ones however, as thousands die every year on the national transplant waiting list.
“I got my transplant June 5, 2001,” she said. “I only waited six days.”
Geary, who was born with a congenital heart problem called transposition of the great arteries, received a heart transplant from a 15-year-old girl named Nicole Scott.
Scott passed away June 4, 2001, after suffering injuries from a car accident the day before. Scott’s parents decided to bring something positive out of their daughter’s death.
“It was our family’s decision when we were at the hospital because she was on life support,” Amy Johnson, Scott’s mother, said. “The Donor Alliance from Denver, Colo., approached us and asked if we wanted her to be a donor because she was young and healthy. We said absolutely.”
Scott’s family donated Nicole’s heart, liver and left kidney to save the lives of three people they never met.
Geary wasn’t the only transplant survivor who participated in this year’s Second Chance 5K Run.
Mike Strauss, Utah State’s Athletics Media Relations Director, also ran in an effort to raise awareness for organ donation.
Strauss, 40, is a liver transplant recipient. In December 2001 Strauss received a transplant from Bonnie Taylor, a 52-year-old woman from American Fork.
“Bonnie Taylor saved four people’s lives,” Strauss said. “Bonnie and her kids Kami (30, from Ogden) and Zach (32, from Lehi), are my heroes. Sixteen people a day die while waiting for an organ donation – that doesn’t have to happen.”
The 5k run began at 9 a.m. in Romney Stadium, as 189 people came together to run in an effort to raise awareness for organ donation.
“Our object is not to raise much money, but to raise awareness,” Strauss said.
Even though there were only 11 more runners than last year, people still thought the race was a success.
“I think it went really well, it was a lot of fun, and it was very well organized,” Johnson said.
Strauss said organ donation is important because it is “a gift you can give to save people’s lives.” He said everyone can be an organ donor because they don’t need their organs when they die.
A lot of good can come from organ donation, he said.
Donating organs is a big decision and is something that should be discussed with your family, Strauss added.
“I just think it is really important to talk to your kids and for kids to talk to their families about what their wishes are,” Johnson said. “I think it is important that we all know what we want.”
Those interested in becoming an organ donor can go to the DMV, or vistit www.yesutah.org.
The Web site has information concerning organ donation, and can help those interested to sign up for the donor registry for free.
Donating an organ can give someone else a second chance at living a healthy life, Johnson said.
“It is a great feeling. I have a totally new life,” Geary said.
-dtrujillo@cc.usu.eduOrgan donation 5K run promotes awareness