Even though it has been over a week now since actress Natasha Richardson died tragically from a head injury in a fluke skiing accident, I have to admit I am still disturbed by the story and it’s seeming randomness. But I was still encouraged to hear news the other day that I was actually expecting and hoping to hear. According to a report from People Magazine Natasha Richardson’s family donated her organs so others might live. Considering her dedication to charity work and the nature of her accident, it seemed logical to me that her husband Liam Neeson, and the other members of Richardson’s family, would consider this one way to find meaning in her loss.
Though it isn’t clear from the statement whether the organs have been given to someone else or if Richardson had, in fact, left express wishes for her organs to be donated upon her death, I think this sad event sheds light in a very real way upon organ donation once again. It continues to be a question no one seems comfortable discussing, but yet it is one way to possibly change the lives of many after we are deceased. If you would like to read more about what your religion says on this topic or discuss with others this important choice, Beliefnet has several resources and community threads available.
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posted March 29, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Natasha’s passing is a bit scary, especially since no one could tell that anything was wrong at first
posted March 30, 2009 at 10:42 am
My father had empheysema from smoking and lived a very debilitating life for over 10 yearsfrom the early 1990′s to 2000. He had been given 2 months to live, when miraculously, on April 13th, 2000, an organ donor was found. The donor family has chosen to remain anonymous, but we are eternally grateful to this day about their selfless act of kindness. Unfortunately, last Friday, March 27th, we had to bury our father from lung cancer. Lung cancer, in his NATIVE lung, NOT his transplanted lung. We were given a husband, father, grandfather, friend to all who met him for an extended 9 years because of the donation. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, consider organ donation to be the last true sign of LOVE for us and from us on this Earth. My father was an incredible man who left a legacy of a wonderful wife of 52 years, 2 children who love him more than life itself, 6 grandchildren that always called him their “HERO!” and over 2,000 employees in a Railroad business that he built from scratch starting at our kitchen table over 25 years ago. I, once again, want to personally and publicly thank that anonymous donor from College Station, TX, and highly encourage all who are reading this to tell your loved ones that you want to be an ORGAN DONOR once your life here on Earth has expired. May God bless you in ways you’ve never pondered. Thank you for this opportunity to make this request.
posted April 4, 2009 at 8:15 am
SHE WAS A BEUTIFULL WOMAN AND A GREAT ACTRESS. HER SITUATION WAS SCARRY BECAUSE LOTS OF PEOPLE HIT THIER HEADS AND YOU KEEP THEM UP FOR AS LONG AS YOU CAN AFTER FOR AT LEAST AND HOUR OR MORE BUT,LIKE HER SITUATION HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU SHOULD GO TO DOCTORS EARLIER.WHEN THEIRS NO VISIBLE SIGNS?
WISH YOU THE BEST. I CANT IMAGINE YOUR PAIN, I’VE ONLY FELT THE PAIN,OF ALMOST BEING THERE WITH MY DAUGHTER. THANKS MY THOUGHT AND PRAYER ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY.