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Giving the ultimate gift

| August 8, 2007 12:00 AM

To the Editor:

In order to stay alive, I received kidney dialysis for over five years. The process involved four hours of treatment three times per week. I returned home from the 70-mile trip usually so tired that I could barely function clearly until mid morning of the next day.

Late in August I finally received a cadaver kidney through the transplant donor program. Thanks to that donor, I now have a new lease on life.

I was lucky that I had not been in urgent need of receiving a transplant. However, there are many people waiting on the list who run out of time and die.

Statistics from the Living Legacy Foundation guide provide the following data:

-One organ and tissue donor can save or enhance the lives of over 50 people.

-Over 95,000 people in the United States of America are waiting for a life saving organ transplant.

-Sadly over 18 people die each day waiting for a transplant.

What can you do to become a cadaver donor?

Register online at www.livinglegacyregistry.org

Call toll free at 1-877-275-5269.

Say "yes" to organ donation when renewing your driver's license.

There is no cost to the donor's family for organ and tissue transplant. Although it is not legally necessary, make your family aware of your decision to help prevent more stress during their time of loss. Persons of all ages can become donors.

Why not sign up now so that someday you could possibly extend the lives of some people waiting for a transplant? Your doing so might help your family know that part of you is still allowing others to live. Once you are dead you certainly do not need your organs and tissues - but others need them.

I greatly encourage all of you to register now to help others live.

Jim Barsotti

Big Sandy, Mont.