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Liz Jones's Story
Liz Jones and her husband Keith both agreed that when they died they wanted to be organ donors, but they had never thought about tissue donation. When Keith had a massive heart attack and died at age 54, a donation coordinator for Puget Sound Blood Center’s Northwest Tissue Services called Liz who was surprised to learn that it wasn’t just organs that could be donated but also bone, tissue and tendons. Liz didn’t think that Keith would be able to donate because of his heart problems, however she learned there were other organs, and especially tissues, that could be used. “I discussed it with my children and we agreed that this was a wonderful way to honor Keith,” says Liz. “He could live on by donating these vital tissues that would help someone else have a longer and better life.” Liz and her family learned that Keith would be able to touch 26 people based on his medical history and health. They also realized that it was not just the patients who receive his tissue that would be helped, but also their families, friends, and everyone those people came in contact with. She says it is a wonderful feeling to think how much further every tissue or organ donation goes. Her 17-year old son has already agreed to be a tissue donor and her daughter says that if something were to happen, she, too wants to be a donor. “It’s like my husband is a memory that keeps living on,” added Liz. “Without question it was the best decision I ever made.” |
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“Donating tissue is like a memory that keeps living on.”