Jocelyn Schryver passed away one year ago today. She received a double-lung transplant in June, 2002 and it was my great pleasure to get to know her at that time and become her friend. Unfortunately, that transplant did not work out and she went on the waiting list once again, but left us before another donor was found. I am pleased to post the following letter to the editor published yesterday in the Toronto Sun. Merv.
"Tomorrow, Aug. 23, marks the first anniversary of the passing of my beautiful daughter, Jocelyn Schryver, while she was waiting for a lung transplant.
To honour her memory, and the valiant struggle she fought to live, I implore everyone who reads this letter to consider signing an organ donation card and to discuss your final wishes with your family and friends.
In Canada we are blessed with the facilities and the brilliant doctors who are able to perform these life saving procedures. I know that for most people the thought of ever needing an organ, or going through with an operation of this magnitude, seems overwhelming and frightening and so they avoid making the decision to donate.
However, there may come a time when they will need a lung, a liver, a kidney, a pancreas, tissues or corneas, or a loved one, possibly their own child, who will require the unselfish gift of life from a donor even if right now it seems unthinkable.
My daughter became a donor instead of a recipient and I miss her every minute. However, she was a keen proponent of organ transplantation and it was her wish that as many lives could be saved as possible.
We have the resources; now it is up to each of us to let others live if we no longer can.
Joette Kruger
Toronto
(What a beautiful tribute to your daughter. Everyone should sign a donor card)"
Toronto Sun, August 22, 2005.
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