GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE

WE CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLEM

It was Sunday, May 20, 2001. My family and I had just returned from church, when the phone rang. The caller shared with us the terrible news that our 21 year-old son, Riley, had been killed in a one car rollover on I-15 near Nephi, Utah. The report of Riley's death understandably hit us hard. One is never prepared for such a situation, and human reactions to these kinds of events are more or less determined by instinct.

So I am grateful that within minutes of receiving the news, we got another call reminding us that we could donate gifts of life from Riley to others in need. Over the years, the England family has been touched by organ and tissue donation as both givers and receivers.

In addition to our experience with Riley, my brother Rod received three kidney transplants, one of which was contributed by my brother Dan. These circumstances have focused the family's attention on organ and tissue donation as an important part of our charitable efforts. Because of our intimate involvement as donors and recipients, then, the decision to donate many of Riley's organs was easy.

I know that the choice to donate organs and tissue is not a simple one. But I ask each of you to make that decision, share it with your loved ones, and then register as a donor.

There are 79,000 ill and suffering Americans waiting on transplant lists today. Every one of them could be helped if more of us were willing to do what only we can do. Let's do our part at C.R. England to help solve this national problem.

Please join me and register today.

- Dean England, COO

Say Yes!

Each day seventeen people die due to the lack of available organs. Currently there are over 79,000 people nationwide waiting for a life-saving transplant.

C.R. England is dedicated to helping Utah lead the nation in eliminating the shortage of available organs, eyes and tissue for transplantation. The England family has always been strong supporters of organ donation.

In 1982, CEO Dan England donated a kidney to his brother Rodney who was suffering kidney failure as an effect of diabetes. Dan says, "Think of those people whom you love most; a spouse, child or other loved one. Try to visualize losing one of them because of a failing heart, kidney or other organ. Think of the joy and relief in being told that their life could be prolonged through a transplant. Now imagine the grief and heartache of watching the loved one slip away due to the unavailability of the needed organ. By registering as an organ donor, we make a commitment that if we lose our life to accident or illness, we are willing to offer the gift of life to someone else; someone who has loved ones just like we do. Very few of us have the opportunity to save someone else's life. This is that opportunity."

Utah's Online Donor Registry is the model for the nation on registering for this life-saving effort. Even if you checked "yes" on your driver's license, take the next step. Help England set the standard for others to follow.

Stand up and be counted! Pay it forward! Register online at www.yesutah.org. Go to the "Yes England" link and support this important, humanitarian cause.

We asked our drivers to send us their thoughts about organ donation. We were impressed with the answers we received. There are so many stories out there about the value of organ donation. All the stories are touching. We appreciate all of you sending these in. We have taken the liberty of summarizing the answers we received.

David Wiggins (52241)

I was a registered respiratory therapist before coming to CRE. I am well versed in organ donation and protocol. It would be my honor to participate in such a most deserving program. God bless you.

Jennifer (98053)

In July of 1997, my husband, 24, died of a pulmonary embolism. We had talked about organ donation before because I drove a truck then. We both signed the back of our driver's license and said that if anything were to happen to either of us we would want to help another person in any way we could. My husband had been dead too long for organ donation but he was able to donate tissue consisting of skin, heart valves and a small joint from the hip and pieces of bone from his legs. Had I not known how he felt about organ donation, I don't know if I would have signed the paperwork. I think everyone should talk with their families about this important decision. Knowing how he felt made things much easier.

Steve Walters (53492)

My mother-in-law is a kidney dialysis nurse. There is always someone needing kidneys. My father-in-law almost needed a transplant. The need is great.

James (53761)

Before I started driving truck I was an EMT/Paramedic. To make a long story short, a young man had injuries not compatible with life. He ended up donating different parts to twenty different people including an 8 year old girl who got his liver. The donor plan works really well.

Marcia (53413)

Both my parents were donors. My father's corneas were used and my mother had her body given to the medical school of Ohio in Toledo. Due to the cause of my father's death, they could only use his corneas. They were both cremated. They always said there was no sense wasting God's work or good farmland. My brothers and I are both listed as organ donors.

Terry (53765)

Donate blood.

Bill (95202)

My son died five years ago and he was a donor. The minister at his funeral said his father had received corneas from a donor and he was very grateful. It made me feel better that my son had chosen to be a donor.

Lee (52955)

I am a registered donor.

Matt (52453)

My brother was killed in a car wreck about a year ago. Many of his organs were donated. My parents are in contact with one of the recipients.