By Jeff Green The Hamilton Spectator
Devan Cruickshanks is asking for a donation you’ll never need your wallet for.
Seven years ago, the Dundas teen received a heart transplant, and she’s been campaigning for people to sign their donor cards ever since.
“I’ve been doing this for years because I was given the gift of life,” 15-year-old Devan said in an interview Saturday. “People die every day waiting for organs, so I will do everything I can to save those lives.”
During Monday afternoon’s charity hockey game at the Market Street arena between Highland Secondary students and teachers, she showed up armed with information and a computer for sign-ups to BeADonor.ca.
Students at Highland each paid a toonie to get out of class Monday afternoon to watch the hockey game. The money is going to support the Christmas Tree of Hope — Hamilton’s major toy drive for kids in need — and fight juvenile arthritis.
“I’ve been doing this for years because I was given the gift of life,” Devan said in an interview Saturday. “People die every day waiting for organs, so I will do everything I can to save those lives.”
Her father, Tim, says they don’t coach the high school student or write her speaking notes. She’s done it all on her own for seven years.
Life changed in the fall of 2003, when Devan was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.
“Basically (my heart) became too big for my body,” she explained. “It was killing me.”
She was lucky enough to find a donor the following spring, a relatively short waiting time.
To this day, she takes a handful of pills morning and night.
“Anti-rejection drugs,” explains her father. They keep her alive.
Devan is asking everyone for two things: to sign up for organ and tissue donation and to have that conversation with loved ones.
“I’m only 15, but I’ve been given a second chance at life,” she said. “So I will do whatever I can to give other people that option.”
A signed donor card in your wallet doesn’t necessarily mean you are signed up, however. BeADonor.ca is urging existing donors to check their status online, along with encouraging others to sign up.
“You Have the Power to Donate Life – to become an organ and tissue donor Sign-up today!
Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
Australia, register at Australian Organ Donor Register
New Zealand, register at Organ Donation New Zealand
South Africa, http://www.odf.org.za/
United States, organdonor.gov
United Kingdom, register at NHS Organ Donor Register
Your generosity can save or enhance the lives of up to fifty people with heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and small intestine transplants (see allotransplantation). One tissue donor can help by donating skin, corneas, bone, tendon, ligaments and heart valves
Has your life been saved by an organ transplant? "Pay it forward" and help spread the word about the need for organ donation - In the U.S. another person is added to the national transplant waiting list every 11 minutes and 18 people die each day waiting for an organ or tissue transplant. Organs can save lives, corneas renew vision, and tissue may help to restore someone's ability to walk, run or move freely without pain. Life Begins with You.
