Ruby's article

Angel posted this yesterday. It's an article that her mom wrote in something called the Ad-Visor.

Letter to the Editor
Title: Consider becoming an organ donor to save lives

To the Editor:  April is Gift of Life Donor Month at Marshall United Methodist Church. And I am a liver transplant recipient.

In 2012, I was diagnosed with end stage non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver with a short lifespan of one to three years. From 2012-2014, I had very frequent blood tests and my health continued to decline. In 2014, one of my doctors suggested I go to Cleveland Clinic in Ohio to get tested for the transplant list.

In September 2014, I took his suggestion and I began the extensive testing required to be put on the list. As I waited for test results my health continued to fail and my liver was slowly shutting down. At that point, I didn't know if I would even make it on the list before dying.

In February 2015, they told me I had made the list, but it might be a year or two before they found a donor. I didn't think I would ever be able to get a liver in time to survive. Six months later on August 23, 2015 the Cleveland Clinic called and they had found a liver for me. In a rush, I headed to Cleveland, a four-hour trip, and was prepped for surgery immediately on arrival and surgery took 10 hours. It was long four weeks before I was released to go home but it was worth it.

Obviously my transplant was a success and God blessed me with decent health since then. I still do blood work once a month, and still have to follow the rules. I worry about rejection, and other issues but, so far, I have been blessed.

A few months after my transplant I received a letter from Gift of Life Michigan. Enclosed was a letter from my donor family. They wanted to know how I was doing since the transplant. I answered their letter and eventually my family met their family. I am so glad I answered that letter. Having them as my extended family has been a Godsend.

My donor, Hayden Smith, from Saline, MI was a 17-year-old young man. He not only was a child of God, but he was loving, caring, and giving. He was able to answer prayers for six other families.

Hayden left behind his dad and mom, William and Andrea along with his sister Hope and his brother Carter, his grandparents and a multitude of family and friends. This family now plays an important and emotional part in my life.

I would recommend to every recipient to make contact with the donor family. You will be blessed to have them in your life. You not only get a new lease on life you gain a new family.

Last November, I became an organ donor. I received such an awesome gift of life that I want to show my gratitude by giving back. Thanks to my donor family and the grace of God I now have the ability to give part of myself to hopefully save someone else's life.

Please consider signing up to be a donor today. You never know how many lives you will save.

Thank you and God Bless. I am #HaydenStrongForever.

Ruby Watts
Marshall