Organ Donation From The Perspective Of A 4 Year Old

Earlier this week on the way to preschool:

"Mommy I have two kidneys, right?"
"Yes you do!"
"So when I grow up I can give one to someone who needs one, right?"
"Sure if you want to baby."


Sookie is 4 years old. She knows mommy's kidneys stopped working when mommy was a kid. She knows mommy needed a kidney that worked. She knows my mom (Grrmomma to her) gave me one of her kidneys.

Through her perspective, it is as simple and as beautiful as that.


The vast scope of human experiences continuously baffles me. We all share this earth, but our adventures and struggles are insanely different. If you are outside the realm of a reality in which you or someone you love dearly needs an organ transplant, I can take a step back and imagine how the misinformation out there about organ donation could sway you. However, I also see how simple such a (sometimes) complex issue is when approached from the childlike eyes of a four year old. A four year old who knows she has two of something, and that some people are in need of simply one that works. It is basic math for her. And I love how powerful that turns out to be.

Did you know 123,000 people are currently on the waiting list for a life saving organ? This statistic upsets me. The need is greater than the donors available. Understandably, organ donation awareness and education has always been a huge passion of mine. I'm constantly seeking out stories of hope and perseverance in relation to this unique journey. Several years ago, I came across The Ruby Jane Foundation. Simply put, their mission is to save lives by educating the public about organ donation. They lost their seven month old baby girl, Ruby Jane, while she was waiting for a life saving liver transplant. Their story breaks my heart, yet I am endlessly inspired by what they are choosing to do with their pain and how they are determined to save other lives.

Did you know you can register to be a donor online? Easy as pie.